England’s Danny Willett set the clubhouse target in the second round of the 144th Open Championship on Friday.
Here are seven fascinating facts about the 27-year-old from Sheffield.
1 - Before his debut in the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral’s ‘Blue Monster’ course in March, Willett “played” the course on a simulator at Doncaster Golf Range. He went on to finish joint 12th in the prestigious tournament.
2 - His father is a vicar.
3 - In the first round of the Amateur Championship in 2007, Willett beat a certain Rory McIlroy 2&1, having been five up after six holes.
4 - His wife Nicole caddied for Willett in the par-three contest on the eve of his debut in this year’s Masters. Willett finished joint 38th in the tournament proper at Augusta National.
5 - Willett is staying in the Old Course Hotel this week and nipped back to his room for a rest during the lengthy rain delay on Friday morning.
6 - In Dubai in January, Willett, his wife and caddie took part in a charity skydive to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybteUafSDjE
7 - After leaving school at 16, Willett quit a local college course after a month - “I hated it” he says - before attending Jacksonville State in Alabama for two years.
