Masters champion Danny Willett was always a believer, says college coach

Champion: Danny Willett returns home
Harry How/Getty Images

Danny Willett always had the confidence to beat the world’s best golfers in any tournament in the world, according to his former coach.

Willett, who arrived back in the UK this morning, was crowned Masters champion on Sunday night after a stunning finale to the first Major of the season.

And James Hobbs, who coached the player from the age of 17 at Alabama’s Jacksonville State University, said the Sheffield golfer had always boasted strong belief in his own ability.

“There was no golf course he didn’t think he could play and no competition he didn’t think he could beat,” said Hobbs. “All along, you could tell that he would be a good professional some day. Danny had a deep belief in what he could do, what he could accomplish — and that was contagious on the other players.”

However, Hobbs, who worked with Willett from 2005, said there had been family concerns that the player might have a propensity to lose focus on the job at hand.

“His father wanted Danny to be in a place where there wasn’t a whole lot of trouble to get into, a small-town environment,” added Hobbs of his university of choice. “Danny is a fun-loving individual.”

Having only previously played 11 Majors — missing the cut on four occasions — Willett had not been fancied to upset the big names.

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But when Jordan Spieth’s game imploded, the 28-year-old, who had previously boasted four wins on the European Tour, comfortably won by three strokes.

Hobbs, who watched the final round from the university’s clubhouse, added: “This puts a stamp on our programme and we’re incredibly proud of Danny.”

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