Nick Matthew column: Masters champion Danny can win multiple Majors

I keep saying it in this column but it is just a great time for Sheffield sport.
Danny Willett (right) arrives at Manchester Airport after his victory at The Masters in Augusta on SundayDanny Willett (right) arrives at Manchester Airport after his victory at The Masters in Augusta on Sunday
Danny Willett (right) arrives at Manchester Airport after his victory at The Masters in Augusta on Sunday

With this being a Sheffield newspaper, I don’t think readers will mind us going over the same ground once more. Anyone from outside might be finding the #sheffieldissuper a bit boring, but it is just ridiculous how many stars this city is producing at the moment.

Joe Root smashed the ball all over the place in the ICC World Twenty20 and was one of the players of the tournament.

Masters champion Danny WillettMasters champion Danny Willett
Masters champion Danny Willett
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We have got Kell Brook flying the flag in the boxing, Jamie Vardy excelling for Leicester City, Danny Willett lifted the Masters last weekend and Matthew Fitzpatrick was tied for seventh at Augusta.

I enjoyed staying up late on Sunday night to watch Danny become the first Englishman since Nick Faldo to win the Masters since 1996. I’m just gutted I didn’t have a little bet on him to win it as I really fancied him to do well!

I was lucky enough to be at Augusta for the final round two years ago when Bubba Watson won so I knew where everything was and you know what the greens are like and how hilly the course is. The television doesn’t quite do it justice. It is just a magical place.

I have never met Danny before but I have been told he’s quite a single-minded person. I could be totally wrong but I’ve been told he knows what he wants and has got a steely mindset. You could see that at the turn when Jordan Spieth went in the water twice at hole 12 to open the door ajar for him.

Masters champion Danny WillettMasters champion Danny Willett
Masters champion Danny Willett
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It changed so drastically in three holes and Danny could have got distracted when he went ahead but he just looked in the zone. For Danny to keep his focus when the lead changed so dramatically was quite unique. I thought that was the most impressive thing and he rammed home his advantage by birdying the 16th hole.

People who follow golf closely will know that Danny has been challenging in the Majors for the last couple of years without hitting the very top. He has been finishing in the top 10 and won a few events on the European Tour.

It wasn’t unexpected to me that Danny was challenging but for him to be so calm under massive pressure in a big event was the thing that shocked me. He had no wobbles whatsoever and looked born for that stage. Nothing phased him when he was in contention and if anything he grew and played better.

There’s no reason why Danny can’t go on to win a few more Majors. He seems like a down to earth guy and has got a close-knit team around him. I’m sure he will do fantastically well. He looks nailed on now to be named in Europe’s Ryder Cup team and I’m sure he will be one of their leading players. Hopefully Fitzpatrick will join him in and it was good to see Lee Westwood back to good form.