DANNY FEELS THE HEAT

GOLF: MASTERS 2017 Willett wilting on return to Augusta

DANNY WILLETT admits he’s feeling the pressure of being the Masters champion on his return to Augusta.

Willett has come back to the spectacular course in a bid to defend the title he won in such stunning fashion 12 months ago.

The Englishman made the most of Jordan Spieth’s remarkable meltdown to take his first Green Jacket and career Major.

But since pulling on the most famous piece of clothing in sport, the Sheffield-born star has suffered a serious slump in form.

The 29-year-old has missed cuts and rarely come close to winning another tournament.

Having been thrust into the world’s spotlight, he has somehow managed to disappear into the golfing background.

Height

But he will be right back in the limelight when the 2017 Masters starts tomorrow and knows there will be nowhere to hide.

“There is extra pressure. I tried to make a pact to myself not to get caught up in that, but it’s difficult,” said Willett.

“You’ve achieved the greatest height in your game. You have got to the pinnacle.

“You’ve climbed Everest and you’ve put your flag in. Unfortunately, you’ve got to either climb down or stay up there, and it’s incredibly difficult to stay up there all the time.

“The pressure has obviously been more from myself. You get a little bit of outward pressure and from the people, obviously, from JEREMY CROSS in Augusta a new era of home domination could soon be on the horizon.

He added: “Golf in England is in great hands at the moment.

“It’s been passed down from obviously Nick (Faldo) to Lee (Westwood) and Poults (Ian Poulter) and (Luke) Donald and Justin (Rose).

“Now you’re seeing the new wave of guys, kind of my age and then even younger than myself.

“I don’t think you’d be surprised at all to see the guys playing great in World Golf Championships and on the PGA Tour and on the European Tour.

Showed

“So I don’t think it will be long before you see the guys starting to step it up again in Major championships.

“At the end of the day, all you’ve got to do is come here and play good golf. We showed that last year.

“It doesn’t really matter who you are. As long as you come with a golf game that’s in shape to win and as long as you can handle the situation, you’ve got a chance.”

Willett will tee off at 5.24pm UK time alongside American Matt Kuchar and US Amateur champion Curtis Luck, from Australia.

SNAPPY DRESSER: Willett shows off his Masters Green Jacket ® because it’s a public game. We’re on the first tee Thursday morning and there will be millions of people watching – and if you don’t hit it good, a million people see you hit it poorly and...