England's Willett moves at the Amateur
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Australian Amateur Championship (2008) | Round Four | by Anthony Powter | 17 Apr 2008
Daniel Willett comes across as a quietly spoken Englishman. A son of a clergyman who preaches at Hackenthorpe, Sheffield, behind this exterior, you sense there’s also a killer instinct within the R&A World number 1.
Despite starting this afternoon’s final round at the Australian Amateur four strokes behind overnight leader, Josh Younger, Willett sees the Royal Adelaide layout as offering opportunities to make the difference.
“The first three holes here are very tasty,” remarked Willett.
“They all prevent an opportunity to make a move. The middle of the course is tough, and coming home there’s a few opportunities on 17 and 18, so I’ll be going out hard and then just try and be patient. Players will be making bogies out there.”
Willett’s international successes are numerous. After winning the 2008 Spanish Amateur title recently, Willett, also the reigning English Amateur Champion and 2007 Walker Cup player, came within whisker of leading the second round of the Andalucia Open on his European Tour debut. He went on to finished T19 and acquired the taste of professional golf.
If Willett had won at Andalucia, the temptation to take a European Tour exemption would have been too great.
“Sure I’m looking to make the move and if I’d won, things would be different. Having said that, I’m really enjoying myself in Australia and this is a corker of a tournament.”
Following this week, Willett heads back to Europe, after he secured a start in the Spanish Open on the European Tour, the result of winning the Spanish Amateur.
“Playing in professional events gets your game in shape, with the pressure, the buzz and the hype that goes with it. You then can apply those experiences with main amateur events like this. Hopefully in events like this one, you can settle down and get out there and finish the job.”
Willett, who has dropped out from the US Collegiate system at Jacksonville State University because he felt his game was not progressing, will be hoping for divine intervention from his father as he tackles the four-shot difference with Younger.
“It’s makeable,” says Willett.
“You just have to make the right move at the right time. Sure, I might get into a bit of match play strategy with the Aussie, that’s certainly on the cards.”
Willett caused a stir in the opening match play round of the 2007 British Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, as he claimed a 2 & 1 match play win over rising Irish star Rory McIlroy, who has enjoyed success since turning professional recently.
Willett is one for making waves and following the opening hole in this morning’s final round, the Englishman had made his move, sinking a ten footer for birdie, whilst Younger missed a five footer for par.
A two-shot swing after the opening hole, just what Willett wanted and this afternoon he’ll be looking to create another stir in collecting the Australian Amateur Medal.
