Danny Willett shrugged off two years in the wilderness to make a triumphant return to the winner’s circle on a dramatic final day of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
READ: Francesco Molinari was crowned Europe’s No 1
The Englishman broke through to claim the 2016 Masters before battling illness, injury and a loss of form in the months that followed.
He now leaves Jumeirah Golf Estates with that same swagger after seeing off the best field in European golf. In the end, he battled current Masters champion Patrick Reed and three-time 2018 winner Matt Wallace for the well-deserved victory that wasn’t without drama.
The latest Rolex Series winner will return to the top 100 when Monday’s Official World Golf Rankings are released, some way from his worst position of 462 during his time in the golfing wilderness.
An eagle on the 2nd got Willett ahead of the game but drops at the 10th and 12th brought the field back into the contest on a blustery day in Dubai.
With Wallace and Reed chasing, the Yorkshireman birdied three of his last five holes – including converting from five foot on the 71st hole after a laser-like iron into the par three – to win by two from his countryman and Reed, who dropped a shot on the 17th before a birdie to close.
Shot of the day feat. @Danny_Willett #DPWTC pic.twitter.com/FHWUT5sCtJ
— Compleat Golfer (@CompleatGolfer) November 18, 2018
Willett avoided late drama when his tee shot on the last rolled into the hazard but stayed dry on the rocks. He had a bogey to play with but showed his nerves as he clipped the ball off the precarious lie to leave himself 90 yards into the par five.
A wedge and two putts later and he once again declared a champion.
Held his nerve tremendously well! #DPWTC pic.twitter.com/wyyE7c1ajR
— Compleat Golfer (@CompleatGolfer) November 18, 2018
Defending champion Jon Rahm finished at 14 under alongside fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui and South African Dean Burmester, who repeated his finish from the 2017 event.
A bogey at the 1st was offset by a birdie at the next on what turned out to be an up-and-down day for the 29-year-old.
Burmester turned in two under but a bogey at the 11th left him chasing birdies. A mistake from the 16th fairway saw his ball sail into the hazard to end his participation in the fruitless pursuit of Willett. However, a closing birdie helped the South African to a healthy payday and end as the country’s top performer.
Dylan Frittelli rose 13 places after his 66 – joint low round of the day with Xander Schauffele – saw him share seventh place before he jets off to the World Cup of Golf.
