Danny Willett

Danny Willett Early Life and Background

Danny Willett, born October 3, 1987, in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, is the third of four sons. His father, Steve Willett, served as a Church of England vicar, while his mother, Elisabet, brought her mathematical expertise to the classroom as a teacher.

Introduced to golf by his elder brothers, Willett honed his skills on a unique course - a par-3 amidst a sheep field on Anglesey. Willett reached No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking by March 2008. Willett's achievements on the amateur circuit were substantial. He won the English Amateur Championship (2007) and participated in the prestigious Walker Cup (2007). He also earned a golf scholarship across the pond at Jacksonville State University (JSU) in Alabama. He continued to impress there, claiming Freshman of the Year honors in the Ohio Valley Conference (2006) and medalist honors at the OVC Championship (2007).

Danny Willett Amateur Golf Career

In 2007, he captured the prestigious English Amateur Championship, solidifying his position as a rising star. Further showcasing his skills, Willett donned the colors of Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup, a biennial competition pitting the best amateurs against their American counterparts. His talents extended beyond the course, as he secured a golf scholarship to Jacksonville State University in Alabama. There, he seamlessly blended academics with athletics, earning Freshman of the Year honors and medalist honors at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship, both in 2007.

Danny Willett Professional Career

Willett earned his European Tour card in 2009 and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. In 2010, he challenged for the prestigious BMW PGA Championship, briefly holding the first-round lead before ultimately finishing fifth. This performance propelled him into the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

The following years saw Willett notch several victories on the European Tour, including the Nedbank Golf Challenge in 2014 and the Omega European Masters in 2015. He consistently finished among the top contenders, solidifying his position as a rising star.

In 2016, Willett's career reached new heights when he captured the coveted green jacket at the Masters Tournament. Just a week after the birth of his first child, this victory made him the first Englishman to win the Masters since 1996 and the first European champion in 17 years.

While the Masters win remains his pinnacle achievement, Willett hasn't stopped there. He added further European Tour titles to his collection, including victories at the 2018 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and the 2019 BMW PGA Championship. In 2021, he capped off a successful season with a win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Danny Willett Playing Style

Willett's game is known for accuracy and course management, not brute power. He uses solid ball striking and strategic play to navigate the course effectively.

Danny Willett Golf Journey

Willett's introduction to the sport wasn't on the manicured greens of Augusta National but amidst the bleating of sheep on a par-3 course in Anglesey, Wales. Willett was guided by his older brothers and honed his skills with a work ethic that impressed his first coach, Peter Ball. Stories abound of Willett practising long after dusk under the harsh winter lights, a dedication that laid the foundation for his future success.

His crowning achievement as an amateur came in 2007 when he captured the prestigious English Amateur Championship. That same year, his talent received global recognition as he ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. This recognition earned him a scholarship across the pond to Jacksonville State University in Alabama, where he continued to impress, claiming Freshman of the Year and medalist honours at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship.

Willett turned pro in 2008. While his early years were marked by consistent performances and occasional flashes of brilliance, like briefly holding the lead at the 2010 BMW PGA Championship, it was victories at events like the Nedbank Golf Challenge and the Omega European Masters that solidified his position as a rising star. His meticulous planning and ability to consistently find fairways and greens in regulation allowed him to build his score steadily, while his cerebral approach and strategic thinking on the course helped him avoid trouble and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Then came 2016. It was a year etched in golfing history, not just for Willett but for all of England. Just days after the birth of his first child, Zachariah James, Willett entered the Masters Tournament, a competition that had eluded English golfers for decades. In a dramatic turn of events, and with Jordan Spieth's heartbreaking collapse, Willett emerged victorious, securing the coveted green jacket. This historic win made him the first Englishman to win the Masters since Nick Faldo in 1996 and the first European champion in 17 years.

Since his historic victory, he has added more European Tour titles to his collection, including prestigious wins at the DP World Tour Championship and the BMW PGA Championship.

Danny Willett Achievements

Amateur Career:

• World No. 1 Ranking (2007)

• English Amateur Champion (2007)

• Walker Cup Competitor (2007)

• Jacksonville State University Honors (2006)

Professional Career:

• Masters Tournament Champion (2016)

• Multiple European Tour Victories: Including prestigious wins at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, Omega European Masters, DP World Tour Championship, BMW PGA Championship, and

• Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

• Consistent European Tour Performer: Numerous top finishes solidify his position among golf's elite.

Danny Willett Majors

Danny Willett Ventures

The following are the brands he has and has had endorsements with:

• Callaway Golf: Willett has been linked to Callaway for equipment endorsement in the past.

• Mastercard: Similar to Callaway, Mastercard have been a previous sponsor.

• Omega: The prestigious watchmaker Omega is another brand Willett might have partnered with for endorsements.

• Descente: This Japanese sportswear company signed a sponsorship deal with Willett in 2023, focusing on golf apparel.

Danny Willett Family

His father, Steve Willett, was a vicar in the Church of England. His mother, Elisabet (née Johansson), brought different expertise to the table. Born in Sweden, she was a math teacher, likely fostering Danny's analytical mind and strategic thinking.

Danny Willett’s Wife

Danny Willett married Nicole Willett (formerly Nicole Harris) in 2013. Not much else is known about his married life or his wife.