In April Danny Willett was on top of the world after his win at the Masters, since then it has been a different story.
Coming into this week at Sun City he was ranked #2 to Henrik Stenson in the Race to Dubai partially because of the win at Augusta and a 2nd place finish in the Italian Open back in September.
After a poor showing at the Ryder Cup, he has been 143rd in the Alfred Dunhill Links, 75th at the WGC HSBC in China and T68 last week at the Turkish Airlines Open. He has clearly lost his confidence, and it appears all the extracurricular requests on his time as the Masters Champion have messed with the routine that have stood him in such good steed earlier in the year.
Today after a dreaded snowman on the 2nd hole he went out in 40, back in 35 for a +3 75, T47, seven shots of the -4 68 lead held by Filipe Aguliar, Jeunhung Wang and Ross Fisher. more importantly six behind Stenson who birdied 3 of his last 4 holes for -3 69.
Next week is the tour finale in Dubai where Rory McIlroy will be in attendance to have his say in matters as Willett struggles to find his form.
Gary Player is the host this week and in his commentary today he says Danny is cocking his wrists too soon in the back swing and has lost the feel required to get the clubface back onto the ball squarely, and that was evident with several tee shots well off line into the jungle.
Stenson meanwhile continues his sensational season highlighted by his silver medal at the Olympics after his epic win over Mickelson at the Open Championship.
He leads Danny Willett by 252,163 points and could win his second Harry Vardon Trophy in four years if he wins this week and Willett finishes outside the top ten.
Right now he is deserving of the top spot in European golf, and is playing like the champion he is.. however as I mentioned, Rory and others are in Dubai practising this week, so the Race to Dubai is far from over..Bryan Angus
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