Willett takes his place on Sheffield's walk of fame

The city's honours are being rolled out for Sheffield golfer Danny Willett - the first UK player to win the US Masters tournament for 20 years.

A civic reception is being planned by the council, and Willett is also set to be awarded a star on Sheffield’s ‘Legends’ walk of fame outside the Town Hall, joining the likes of Jessica Ennis-Hill, Helen Sharman and Michael Palin.

The 28-year-old grew up in Hackenthorpe, and was coached at Birley Wood golf course at the start of his remarkable journey to donning the famous Masters green jacket at Augusta on Sunday.

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Andy Carnall, golf manager for SIV, which operates the Birley Wood course, said: “It doesn’t seem that long ago that a young Danny was making his way around this course and learning the game. His Masters triumph is fantastic news for both the sport and for Sheffield.

“Not only do we have Danny, Sheffield’s newest golf star Matthew Fitzpatrick came in seventh.”

Danny - who just became a father for the first time with wife Nicole and currently lives near Worksop - was a pupil at City School, now Outwood Academy City, in Stradbroke.

His former PE teacher Nick Clayton said: “When great sports people and coaches speak about what it takes to reach the top they use words like courage, commitment, belief, determination and a desire to learn.

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“These are all attributes Danny had in abundance. He was always willing to try new things and he would always focus on what he had to do right now rather than what he could achieve in the future.”

Coun Talib Hussain, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, added: “We think after all he has achieved, he deserves the accolade of ‘Legend’.”

n Danny Hall’s view, p48