DANNY WILLETT came up the hard way in reaching the heights of becoming No.13 on the Official World Golf Ranking. In 2007 he represented Europe in the Walker Cup and was ranked No.1 amateur in Europe that same year before graduating through Qualifying School and turning professional in 2008. His first European Tour win came at the BMW International Open in Germany in 2012 and his second was at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa at the start of the 2015 season. Now, fresh off the best year of his career when he finished in a share of fourth place in the DP World Tour Championship, tied third at the WGC-Cadillac Championship and his superb victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Worldwide Golf talks to the confident Yorkshireman about his plans for the year ahead and how keeping things sensible makes sure he remains well grounded.
Worldwide Golf, the Middle East’s Number One Golf Magazine: Since winning the NedBank Golf Challenge in South Africa in December 2014, the first tournament of the 2015 season, and going on to enjoy your most successful campaign so far, your game and confidence just keeps on growing. What do you put this down to?
DANNY WILLETT: There’s not one specific thing that I could put it down to really. My back is good now and I’m feeling fit – and that has played a big part in my progress. It’s a combination of a lot of things coming together but I’m hoping that this is just a start to my success. Like winning the Nedbank last season, victory in Dubai is a great way to begin the year.
Worldwide Golf: Coming from Sheffield, how useful is it to have Pete Cowen and Mike Walker on the range with you during tournament week?
DANNY WILLETT: It’s great working with them and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me but at the same time it’s not vital to have them there on the spot all the time at the tournaments I play. They’re close enough to go and see them when I’m at home or I can speak to them on the phone whenever I need to.
Worldwide Golf: Your 2015 campaign ended with you finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy in The Race to Dubai, sharing fourth place at the DP World Tour Championship, and last month you went three better by winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in style but how do you value the tournaments in the Middle East?
DANNY WILLETT: I love playing out in the Middle East. The Desert Swing is a great way to start the year – it’s really important to all the players on The Tour and it’s ideal that the season reaches its climax at the DP World Tour Championship. All four events are really big tournaments and it’s brilliant that the region gives so much support to golf. They’re great weeks that everyone looks forward to. I was ecstatic in winning the Desert Classic. You just can’t buy that feeling when you’re coming down the back nine then the back three in contention of a big golf tournament. It’s something you can’t pay for in life – you’ve just got to earn it. It was extra special to win in that fashion and being able to produce the goods when the pressure is on.
Worldwide Golf: At the age of 28 and picking up some serious prize money have you treated yourself to anything that was out of reach in the early days? You seemed quite at home in that Bell helicopter at the DP World Tour Championship.
DANNY WILLETT: That daily helicopter flight from Jumeirah Golf Estates to the hotel and back was mega – what a way to travel! But no, not really. I’ve not splashed out on anything outrageous and I think I’ve kept things pretty sensible really.
Worldwide Golf: Now 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking what are your goals for 2016 – Ryder Cup, Olympics and Majors?
DANNY WILLETT: I’ve not set myself any real goals other than wanting to keep progressing. You mention the Ryder Cup and the Olympics and they’re both big occasions that are happening this year, as well as the Majors. But I just want to keep improving and putting myself in good positions. If I do that, everything else should just look after itself. It’s been good to get off to a quick start. It gives me some home time with Nicki’s birth and it’s good to be well up there in the World Rankings for Rio and for The Ryder Cup. It also means my schedule eases off.
Worldwide Golf: Turning pro when you were playing off plus 5 is impressive but do you believe that any amateurs looking to make it on Tour need to have a similar handicap at their home course?
DANNY WILLETT: Everyone is different really and people progress at different rates but that certainly seems to have worked for me.
Worldwide Golf: Who was your golfing idol when you were growing up and why?
DANNY WILLETT: It would have to be Tiger Woods. Because he’s Tiger isn’t he?”
Worldwide Golf: If you could change any shot you’ve ever played what would it be and why?
DANNY WILLETT: Honestly, I really don’t think like that. There’s nothing that I would change.
Worldwide Golf:You had your first top ten in a Major at The Open last year, would you say that The Open represents your best chance of winning your first Major and is Royal Troon in your sights?
DANNY WILLETT: Again, it’s just not how my mind works. It’s great that I’ll be pitching up at all four Majors this year believing that I can contend in every tournament I play. Last year was a good experience for me at The Masters and at The Open but I’m confident I’ll be ready to do even better this time around.
Worldwide Golf: You are currently the fourth highest ranked European on the World Ranking behind McIlroy, Stenson and Rose who are all Ryder Cup stalwarts. Do you feel like you are ready to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup later this year should you qualify?
DANNY WILLETT: If I make The Ryder Cup team it would be something I’d be really excited about. I’ve always loved match play and a few of us got a valuable taste of head-to-head golf and playing in a team environment at the EurAsia Cup in January. From start to finish it was brilliant and I’d definitely feel that I was ready if I were called upon for Hazeltine. Playing with Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick was good fun. There was a lot of banter flying around all week and I think that over the next few years we’re going to be the ones who willbe trying to beat each other. It’s tough out there and there’s such a miniscule difference between winning and losing. Some days you get lucky, some days you don’t.
Worldwide Golf: Since working with Callaway, how have the new models been able to improve your scoring?
DANNY WILLETT: The XR16 driver and woods have been in the bag for a few weeks now and it’s all about the feel and the performance. They’re just another improvement to my game and I’m really grateful to Callaway.
Worldwide Golf: Which football club do you support and what sort of music do you most enjoy?
DANNY WILLETT: Liverpool FC and absolutely all sorts of music!
Worldwide Golf: You’ve been flying back and forth to get home with the imminent arrival of your baby – is this something that will change your life and your lifestyle?
DANNY WILLETT: Obviously, it’s going to be a big change to both of our lives and neither me nor my wife, Nicki, can wait for the big day. It’s really exciting for us both.
Worldwide Golf: With Matt Fitzpatrick’s career taking off and now yours, Sheffield can boast two world class golfers – does it help to be part of the ISM success story?
DANNY WILLETT: I wouldn’t put it quite like that. Chubby (Chandler)has definitely helped me and there are some great people at ISM. It’s really good to see Fitzy doing what he’s doing and he’s certainly got a brilliant future ahead of him.
Worldwide Golf:It’s a boost to The European Tour that you have decided not take up a US PGA Tour card – are you pleased with the way The European Tour is progressing, particularly with the strengthening of its relationship with the Asian Tour.
DANNY WILLETT: There are certainly some good things happening with The European Tour at the moment, definitely. European Tour Golf is young right now but it’s strong. We’ve got a really thirsty group of lads competing. The Americans have gone through the transition of young players coming through the ranks and I think The European Tour is going through that same process. The young British lads like myself are just going to keep progressing and I can see it being very competitive for the next few years. I still want to play on the US PGA Tour at some stage in the future but it probably just came a year or two too early for me. I’m happy to say it’s good to know that what I’m doing now is working well and I’m pleased with my schedule.
