15 Things You Should Know About Danny Willett

By Joel Beall

April 11, 2016

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Photo By: Augusta National/Getty Images

Photo By: AFP/Getty Images

Photo By: Getty Images

Willett Almost Didn't Play In The 2016 Masters

When Danny's wife, Nicole, was pregnant, her original due date was April 10, Masters Sunday. Luckily for Danny, Nicole delivered a healthy son on March 29, allowing Willett to stay in the Masters field.

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Willett Would Play Golf In A Sheep's Meadow Growing Up

"We used to go to Anglesey to play a par-3 course in the middle of a sheep field," he told reporters in 2015. "You skip it forward 17 years and you've got an invite to the Masters. It's just a bit crazy really."

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Willett Was The World's No. 1 Amateur

Willett reached this ranking in 2008, holding the top spot for 12 weeks. When he turned pro, Rickie Fowler claimed the No. 1 amateur distinction.

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Willett's Father Is A Vicor (Priest) For The Church Of England

Willett's father couldn't make it to the 2015 British Open to watch him play because he was scheduled to conduct a baptism.

Willett Sponsors A Junior Program

The program helps transition kids from junior golf to adult courses. And here's the best part: The group is called "The Wee Willetts."

Willett Battles A Nagging Back Issue

The problem has resulted in numerous withdrawals from tournaments. “It’s an ongoing thing and is sometimes not great,” he said after his Masters win. “When it’s cold, I struggle. ... I have to watch myself. I can practice as much as I want most of the time. But I have to make sure I move correctly and do all the stretches both before and after. I have to stay loose."

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Willett Bears An Uncanny Resemblance To A "Game Of Thrones" Actor

That would be Alfie Allen, who's appeared in movies like "John Wick" and "Atonement," but is best known for his Theon Greyjoy character in HBO's "Game of Thrones."

Willett Won His First Professional Tournament In A Four-Hole Playoff

He knocked off Marcus Fraser on the fourth sudden-death hole with a par, claiming the 2012 BMW International Open.

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Willett Was A Member Of The 2007 Walker Cup

Also on the Great Britain & Ireland team was Rory McIlroy. The American squad would win the match at Royal County Down.

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Willett's Brother P.J. Is A Riot On Twitter

During the final round of the Masters, P.J.'s Twitter feed was filled with hysterical observations and rants. As many commentators noted after Willett's win at Augusta, "Danny may have won the green jacket, but his brother 'won' Twitter."

Willett Attended Jacksonville State For Two Years

Willett made 1st-Team Ohio Valley Conference twice during his time at the school located in Jacksonville, Ala.

Willett Is Only The Second Englishman To Win The Masters

The first? Nick Faldo, who won the tournament three times.

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Willett Is An Avid Dog Lover

His Twitter bio reads "Father to Spike," a reference to his pug. Willett has stated his favorite passion outside of golf is walking his dog.

According To Vegas, Willett Was A Masters Long Shot

Despite ranking 12th in the world, many gambling books listed Willett at 50-1 to win the Masters, with some odds going as high as 70-1.

Willett Checked Off Skydiving From His Bucket List

Better yet, you can watch his whole experience on YouTube.

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15 Things You Should Know About Danny Willett

Shop This Look

Willett Almost Didn't Play In The 2016 Masters

Willett Would Play Golf In A Sheep's Meadow Growing Up

Willett Was The World's No. 1 Amateur

Willett's Father Is A Vicor (Priest) For The Church Of England

Willett Sponsors A Junior Program

Willett Battles A Nagging Back Issue

Willett Bears An Uncanny Resemblance To A "Game Of Thrones" Actor

Willett Won His First Professional Tournament In A Four-Hole Playoff

Willett Was A Member Of The 2007 Walker Cup

Willett's Brother P.J. Is A Riot On Twitter

Willett Attended Jacksonville State For Two Years

Willett Is Only The Second Englishman To Win The Masters

Willett Is An Avid Dog Lover

According To Vegas, Willett Was A Masters Long Shot

Willett Checked Off Skydiving From His Bucket List