Danny Willett is ready to deal with the soaring expectations that come with a Masters Green Jacket, as soon as he gets round to picking up his clubs again.
Willett claimed his first major championship at Augusta earlier this month, seeing off Jordan Spieth and Lee Westwood by three shots in a thrilling final round.
His life changed in an instant, with doors opening to the Olympics and the Ryder Cup this year as well as a career-best ranking of No. 9.
The 28-year-old Yorkshireman has also agreed to join the PGA Tour, which awarded him a five-year exemption yesterday lasting to the end of the 2020/21 season. And when he takes the field at the Players Championship in Sawgrass on May 12 he will do so with a target, rather than a Green Jacket, on his back.
“People will look at you in a new way now, expecting you to be brilliant every time you peg up,” he said. “You never know exactly how you’ll deal with that until you’re in the situation, but I know I’ll have to prepare really well to give myself the best chance to play well.
“I realise that is golf: one week you can go from winning the Masters and the next you can be shooting 85 quite easily.
“But I’m looking forward to the Players Championship, it’s a great event and it’s back in America.”
