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BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 2019

DANNY, THE CHAMPION The bigger test, though, came on Sunday, when Willett found For Willett, it’s a case of history come full circle. After his 2016

Masters win, his game went into a downward spiral for some time,
the trees followed by the thick stuff in two successive shots on
the 11th hole. He recovered to find the green in four, but jarred his
with the 2016 Ryder Cup the headline moment. Willett’s brother
OF THE WEST wrist in the process. The resulting 50ft putt, though, was wrote an article targeting American fans on the eve of the
tournament, and the Yorkshireman faced the wrath of a raucous
sensational, and resulted in a cheer heard around the Virginia
home crowd all week long as he failed to secure a single point on
Water fairways. It was probably the moment that sealed the title,
debut.Three years on, winning the first qualifying event for the 2020
but Willett insists he never allowed himself to get carried away.
tournament feels like the beginning of a redemption tale that once
again heads towards the USA, and in an era where golf fields are
deeper and stronger than ever before, Willett knows that victories
will be harder to come by.
“Of course, winning at Wentworth was a great way to start the Ryder
Cup campaign,” Willett says. “The players we go up against now are
so strong, so it’s nice for me to get a head start! I’m injury free, my
game has improved over the last year, and I’m really happy with
where I am right now, but I don’t want to look too far ahead.

“I absolutely loved the week this year, but
it’s always been one of my favourite
events regardless. Winning it was just the
cherry on top.”

Danny Willett looks back at the week he tamed Wentworth’s famous West Course

“I had some favourite shots, of course. The bunker shot on 13 was
260 days. That’s how long had passed “I was driven on by an undying want to get “It’s a course I have always played well at, pretty sweet, but the tee shot on 18, under all that pressure, was
between Danny Willett’s Masters back there,” the Yorkshireman explains. “I and I’ve had some strong finishes before massive. It was a great contest all weekend with Jon, though, and
victory in 2016, and him tapping the was willing to change whatever had to be this year,” adds Willett, who finished third it was tight right until the end, so I honestly never really thought
1ball in at the 18th at Wentworth to changed. at Wentworth in 2016, when compatriot about victory that much. Those par savers and big moments are
secure the 2019 BMW PGA Championship. Chris Wood lifted the trophy. just tiny parts of the whole piece, you can’t let yourself think too
In that time, Willett has won on just one “Back then [in 2016], I probably tried to play far ahead.
other occasion, last November in Dubai. too much rather than sticking to my “It’s just a very fair test of golf. If you are
schedule. It’s hard as everybody wants you playing well, you’re rewarded, but if you’re “Of course,” Willett finally concedes when we put it to him that
1260 days is a long time in any walk of life, to play their events, but looking back, I just off it a little it will punish you.” winning the Masters must help prepare him for moments like
let alone in a sporting arena where you are should have probably said no more. I went this, “it has helped me for sure when I’m under a pressure
fighting to try top the leaderboard every to some dark moments in those days, but For Willett, that punishment very nearly situation. But so much has changed since then that you don’t call
week. Injuries, form, confidence; everything even on the bad days I realised playing golf came on several occasions. First, he found back to those moments. I used to hit a cut, now I hit a draw. I’m
can take a hit during a period where for a living is a really beautiful thing to do. It’s the trees on 17 as he sought to finish day not the same golfer I was then, let alone person in general. So
victories are hard to come by, and for all I ever wanted, so I’m incredibly proud to three atop the leaderboard – but a miracle much has changed.”
Willett, a first Ryder Cup appearance in be in this position again.” shot put him right back into contention
that time – back in America in 2016 – was and scuppered Rahm’s hopes of Speaking of his game, Willett is aware he will now come back “Little goals and achievements are just as important. This was my
also a thankless task, as he came away with leapfrogging him. under intense scrutiny over the coming 12 months. Whistling first win on British soil, so that was huge. When the Ryder Cup gets
zero points from his matches on a torrid “Winning at Wentworth was Straits is on the horizon, and Willett’s Wentworth victory was the closer, I’ll start to look at where I am and how I’m doing. Would I like
three days. a great way to start the first qualifying tournament in the battle to make Padraig to play in another one? Of course. It’s massive. It would be a huge

In the wake of Willett’s Wentworth victory, Ryder Cup campaign.” Harrington’s European Ryder Cup team. honour!”
we sat down with the Englishman to talk There are 369 days between the final putt at Wentworth and the
about conquering the West Course, and first tee shot at Whistling Straits. After waiting so long between
first up, we wanted to know how he had This position is certainly one that Willett will Augusta and redemption, we wouldn’t put it past Willett to add a few
found his way back to the winning circle. enjoy more than his earlier struggles, as he more trophies to his cabinet before then.
completed a three shot victory over Jon
Rahm to seal the BMW PGA Championship
in style. With a stellar field, a beautiful sunny
week, record crowds and of course a victory Willett’s Numbers
to top it all off, Willett pretty much had the
perfect week. In fact, after a double bogey 952 268
on the second hole of the entire week, he Days between Masters The number of shots he
dropped just four more shots in 70 holes. win and victory in Dubai took to conquer Wentworth.
last year.
“Yeah, I was really pleased with how I 17
played,” Willett enthuses. “I absolutely loved 496 The number of Augusta
the week this year, but it’s always been one The rank Willett reached winners who have now won
of my favourite events regardless. Winning at his lowest point. at Wentworth.
it was just the cherry on top.

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