Willett: Rory is the true master
Danny Willett might be in possession of the green jacket Rory Mcilroy craves above anything else in golf but the yorkshireman still believes he is the one clinging to the other’s coat-tails.
as europe’s top two prepare to play alongside one another for the first time in a major at the 116th US Open tomorrow, Willett admitted he has plenty of catching up to do.
‘i certainly don’t think winning the Masters makes me his equal,’ said the 28-year-old. ‘What Rory’s done in the game is massive. Just as tiger did for worldwide golf, he’s encouraged a lot of the europeans like myself to achieve what he’s been able to do.’
Willett and Mcilroy were once amateur rivals but their paths rarely crossed early in their professional careers, with the former hampered by injury as the latter steamed ahead.
that has changed thanks to Willett’s remarkable rise from outside the world’s top 100 to inside the top 10. now the englishman is edging in front following his success at augusta but Mcilroy kept pace when he overcame Willett’s challenge at the irish Open.
On paper, the Oakmont ordeal favours Willett more than Mcilroy, with the world no 3 admitting he is going to rein in his attacking instincts. His big word for the week is ‘discipline’.
Mcilroy said: ‘the two keys for me are finding the fairways and leaving the ball below the hole. Here, you’d much rather have a 30-foot uphill putt than an eight-footer downhill, and so you might not be aiming at a flag all day.
‘that’s a test for an aggressive player but one i’m relishing. it would make me very proud to win on a course like this, and feel a more complete player.’
Mcilroy and Willett have been seeing a lot of each other and mutual respect has grown to the point where they played nine holes together on Monday in advance of their big day tomorrow.
‘Playing with Rory has been helpful,’ said Willett.
‘i’ve got to see how the man i consider the best golfer in the world goes about his business. Rory is a fantastic example of how athletic golf is these days.
‘it’s going to be a great two days. i’ve seen where he’s taken his game and i’m striving to be up there with him.’
england’s no 2 Justin Rose has been struggling to join his future Ryder Cup team-mates at the US Open, but says he can manage his back problem.
‘the good news is i feel fresh,’ said Rose. ‘i’m confident i’ve done everything humanly possible to be ready.’ IVAN LENDL was back, and for Andy Murray it was like pulling on an old slipper as he got his grass court campaign off to an excellent start at Queen’s Club. The four-time champion was given an excellent workout by Frenchman Nicolas Mahut but came through 7-6, 7-6, serving 15 aces after fairly minimal preparation. He is through to the second round of the Aegon Championships where he will meet British No 2 Aljaz Bedene, who beat Benoit Paire 7-6, 6-7, 6-4. While Lendl’s presence attracted much of the attention, Murray was asked later about Maria Sharapova’s ban for taking meldonium and did not express anything in the way of sympathy for her. As for performing in front of his old mentor again, he said: ‘It felt like it did before. It’s great to have him back as part of the team. I trust and believe in what he says but ultimately it is still down to me.’ Lendl began the day