Danny Willett will sit out Masters if baby does not come early

Willett’s wife Nicole is due to give birth during Masters week and the Sheffield golfer says he will not risk missing his baby’s arrival by travelling to Augusta for one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments.

So the 28-year-old has his fingers crossed his child comes early.

“I’m looking forward to Augusta – if I get to go play,” Willett said. “Obviously Nic’s due that week, so all depends on how our little man is fairing, if he fancies coming out early on, it would be great, but if not, I won’t be playing.

“Yeah, hopefully, yeah, we have a nice, easy smooth early birth and I can get out there, even if I go and fly out Tuesday, Wednesday.

“It’s one of the golf tournaments you don’t really want to miss.

“But if she’s not given birth, I’ll not go. It’s too far to get back. You can’t get back in time. There’s plenty more Masters.”

Willett made his Masters debut last year and says having recent knowledge of Augusta National will stand him in good stead if he does make a late arrival in Georgia.

He said: “Obviously playing it last year, I’ve still got my books, all my notes.

“So if it’s a last-minute jaunt there, it would still be awesome. So hopefully we can be on a plane there this year.”

Willett was one of the leading contenders to win the WGC Cadillac Championship in Florida as The Star went to press.

After starting the final round in a tie for fourth, Willett made excellent progress to move into the top two alongside playing partner Bubba Watson.

Overnight leader Rory McIlroy struggled and lost his advantage while Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson moved into contention.

Visit www.thestar.co.uk/sport to see how Willett fared.