Danny Willett won the 2016 Masters, and hadn't won since. Francesco Molinari has done nothing but win this year. Both wrapped up this 2018 season today as the big winners at the DP World Golf Championship
Molinari his started his dream season with a win at the BMWPGA at Wentworth then 2nd at the Italian Open followed by another win at the Quicken Loans, Tiger's tournament on the PGA Tour, and he never looked back all summer, 2nd at the John Deer Classic, adding the Open title at Carnoustie and a perfect record at the Ryder Cup. All of that earned him enough points to coast to the Race to Dubai title which he did this morning T26 -6.
Danny Willett shot 67 67 68 68 -18 to return to the winners circle for the first time in 2 1/2 years. The Masters win for this modest Englishman and the subsequent birth of his son were all too much to handle. Most on this side of the Atlantic remember that Masters as the one Jordan Spieth blew but in Europe and in particular in the UK it elevated Willett into legendary status along with Sir Nick Faldo, Tony Jacklin and Rory McIlroy.
When he emerged from all the media attention and corporate demands he couldn't replicate his form, lost his confidence and his game just spiralled dropping out of the top 400 all the way to 462.
Finally his game returned late this year after hiring Canada's Sean Foley as his coach in 2017, with his name popping up on the leaderboard and the long road back must have been a massive relief with his win today.
"It's been a lot of hard work. It's been tough. I'm just massively proud of myself and everyone that's been around me. You never quite know when a win is around the corner and with all the things that have happened, I was never quite sure if it was going to happen again. To happen here at the end of year, we've battled long and hard through this season to come out at the end, regardless of what happened today, a better person and a better athlete. It's a special place. It's been a hell of a lot of work and it's just nice to be back"
Willett made three birdies in his last five holes to get to -18, two shots clear of fellow Englishman Matt Wallace (68) and reigning Masters Champion Patrick Reed (70).
Defending champion Jon Rahm (68) finished at -14 alongside fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui (69) and South African Dean Burmester (68)
Bryan Angus
Defending champion Jon Rahm (68) finished at -14 alongside fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui (69) and South African Dean Burmester (68)
Bryan Angus
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