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After two years without a win and a year ravaged by ill health, Danny Willett made his way into the European Tour winner’s circle with a stunning two-stroke victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
By Keith Jackson
Last update: 10/03/21 5:50 pm
Danny Willett claimed victory at St Andrews
Danny Willett celebrated his 34th birthday with his first victory in more than two years after a resolute final at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Willett’s closing 68 at St Andrews was enough to secure a two-stroke victory as Ryder Cup stars Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry failed to close their three-stroke deficit overnight.
The former Masters champion got off to a good start under bright skies with three birdies on the first five holes, and he landed more shots on either side of the turn before making his way home safely to stay 18 under the normal.
That score was enough to clinch his first victory since the flagship BMW PGA European Tour Championship in 2019, since Willett slipped to 170th place in the world rankings while also battling a number of ailments this year.
Willett’s closing 66 earned him a two-stroke victory
Willett’s dismal 2021 saw him test positive for Covid-19 in March, have a wisdom tooth removed in April, and he was also rushed to hospital shortly after playing at Memorial in June, suffering from appendicitis and also from an annoying hernia he had. deleted.
But the pain was only a distant memory as he carefully plotted his way around the Old Course, which he played 10 under par for 36 holes over the weekend, his mistake in the fourth Sunday. being his only buggy at St Andrews.
With Lagergren in the clubhouse after a 66 took him to 16 under, Willett negotiated the dreaded 17th with probably his best shot of the season, hitting a daring middle iron at 20 feet to set up a no par. stress that allowed him to enjoy the victory goes up the final fairway.
“It’s been a good week,” said moved Willett, whose only top 10 this year was in Puerto Rico in March. “Things have been good. The results haven’t really been there, but, you know, deep down inside, things are pretty close.
“And I’ve always said if I sniff a little I’m generally fine. And today was a great example of that. The score was pretty low on this new front, and we were able to do that to defend ourselves a few guys. and plays really solid on the back.
“That’s a big deal. Yes, it’s been a relatively average year. We said we would cross 2021, but fingers crossed now, we have six, seven events left until we put the clubs on Christmas. , and hopefully we can push a little bit from that. “
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