Willett wilts again

Joy Chakravarty 01:00 21/11/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Looking at the positives: Willett.

    Masters champion Danny Willett was disappointed that he could not cross the final hurdle for a second straight year in trying to become the European No1 player.

    The 28-year-old from Sheffield wasn’t successful in chasing Rory McIlroy last year, and he lost the Race to Dubai to Henrik Stenson yesterday. Needing to finish at least 300,000 points ahead of the Swede, he was tied 50th at one-under par.

    It continued his poor run of form that started with the Italian Open a couple of months ago, where he finished second. Willett played four continuous weeks counting the DP World Tour Championship, but he could not contend in any of the events.

    Two good weekend rounds perked things up for the Englishman, but he could not reproduce the same form at the Earth course.

    “It’s been a disappointing four days after good momentum last weekend. Started out slow but moving in the right direction, then it was back to being a bit on and off again on Saturday and frustrations built up and got in the way of playing in golf,” said Willett after his round.

    “Today, I played all right. Shoulder has been hurting a little bit but played pretty good and just didn’t hole anything.

    “It’s a disappointing four-week stretch I’ve just had to end what will still be a pretty memorable year. It’s just a shame that it’s kind of come to this conclusion.”

    Looking ahead, Willett said he will try and reduce a couple of events next year, but said it was still difficult towards the end of the season.

    “There’s nothing to blame really. My golf just hasn’t been good enough these last two months. A few little scheduling issues maybe. Going forward, I’ll look into just playing a limited amount and backing myself to do well in the ones that you play,” added the world No11.

    “It’s a tough one because the better you’re playing, the more golf you have to play at the end of the season. It is how it is. Looking back we probably should have taken it a little steadier after the Ryder Cup after all that happened.

    “Just looking at gives ourselves a couple of weeks off over the last couple of months to kind of stay fresh for these ones.”

    Willett also said he’d try to look at the positive side.

    “We’ve been playing good golf for two and a half years and it’s good to see you’ve finished second in two Race to Dubais, and 23rd the year before that. Everything is trending in the right direction,” he concluded.

    Recommended