WGC Cadillac Championship: So close yet so far as Willett finishes third in Florida

The Sheffield golfer looked to have perfectly judged his birdie putt on the 17th hole of his final round but watched on as it agonisingly grazed the lip of the cup.

It left Willett needing a birdie on the last to level up with leader Adam Scott and potentially force a play-off.

But he fired his tee shot into the water on the 18th and would ultimately bogey the hole to drop into a tie for third alongside overnight leader Rory McIlroy.

Willett started well and was three under for his round heading into the back nine.

A bogey on the 11th halted his progress but he recovered well to stay within touching distance of the lead.

But it was a quite remarkable recovery from winner Scott, who bounced back from a pair of double bogeys on three and five to surge back up the leaderboard. A run of six birdies in nine holes put the Australian in command and laid the groundwork for his triumph.

Bubba Watson - playing alongside Willett - finished second.

Though he will be disappointed to have not triumphed at the Trump National having been in touching distance from the first round to the last, Willett will no doubt be content to see a continuation of his impressive start to the season.

His performance this week in Florida saw him secure a fourth top five finish in seven tournaments so far this season.

Willett's fellow Sheffield golfer Matt Fitzpatrick pitched in from the bunker for eagle on his final round but could only manage a one over par 73 to leave him four over for the championship and in a tie for 35th.