Danny Willett won't go to America full time

Masters champion Danny Willett insists his home will remain in South Yorkshire despite the door being opened for him to play in the United States full time.
Danny Willett, pictured at Rotherham Golf Club. Picture: Marie CaleyDanny Willett, pictured at Rotherham Golf Club. Picture: Marie Caley
Danny Willett, pictured at Rotherham Golf Club. Picture: Marie Caley

Winning at Augusta National saw the Sheffield golfer secure PGA Tour exemption for the next five years, which could potentially see him follow in the footsteps of Worksop’s Lee Westwood and base himself in America.

Willett says he has no intention of leaving home behind though he is pleased he now has the flexibility to pick and choose the best tournaments in which to compete.

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“I’m going to go and have a little look at some places but I’m not going to live there,” the 28-year-old said.

“It’s not home, it’s not where I’m from, it’s not where I’m at.

“We will play out there but only another handful of events than I would do anyway.

“You’ve only got to play a minimum of 15 but eight of those are taken up with the World Golf Championships and the Majors so I’ve actually only got to find seven events to play in.

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“It’s not actually that crazy different of a schedule really.

“It just allows me, because I’ve got the exemptions, to pick and choose the best events around the world and to go and play when I want to play which is brilliant.”

Willett is enjoying a break from competitive golf to spend time with wife Nicole and new born son Zachariah following his Masters triumph.

While remaining firmly a member of the European Tour, his next outing will be in the US for the unofficial fifth Major, The Players Championship at Sawgrass in Florida, starting on May 12.

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Willett said: “It’s a fantastic tournament. You get one of the best fields in golf, the biggest prize purse.

“It’s an awesome event and I’m really looking forward to that being the first one back after winning.”

He begins life as part of the PGA Tour sitting 27th in the standings after being awarded 600 FedExCup points for his Masters win plus 44 from his performance at the Valspar Championship in Florida in March.