Danny Willett fires 70 at Sawgrass in first round since Masters win
Friday 13 May 2016 00:18, UK
Danny Willett admitted he had to "dig deep" as he fired a respectable two-under 70 in the first round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Willett was one over after the first third of his round in his first outing since his memorable Masters victory last month, but he birdied 16 and 17 and picked up a third shot in four holes at the first.
The Sheffield ace then parred his final eight holes to remain seven behind early pace-setter Jason Day, and he was happy with his performance having spent little time practising since his remarkable victory at Augusta National.
"I have not had a load of time to do a great deal of work so the game was not great, but I dug deep and hit some reasonably good shots," Willett told Sarah Stirk at the Sky Cart. "I would have definitely taken 70 yesterday afternoon."
Willett has spent much of the last month enjoying "downtime" with his wife Nicole and their baby son, who arrived the week before The Masters, although he has also had to fulfill a number of commitments for media and sponsors.
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"It's been a bit crazy, it's been a whirlwind," he added. "It was nice this morning when we were announced as Masters champion but it was nice to get back on the golf course and inside the ropes because all you have to do is concentrate on the golf.
"It's tiring. Every day seems to be 45 minutes to an hour longer signing stuff and doing extra media and all the stuff that comes with winning a major. You take it on the chin and have to do it."
Willett's fellow Englishman Justin Rose ended the first round just two strokes off the lead after he enjoyed one of his best ball-striking days in a superb seven-under 65.
Rose hit every green in regulation and carded six birdies and an eagle at the 16th, where a mammoth 345-yard drive left him with just an eight-iron for his second, and he knocked it to eight feet and converted the putt.
The world No 10, one place lower than Willett, also birdied 17 and 18 thanks to further brilliant iron play, and he said: "It was great to come out today and get off to another good start. I think I hit 18 greens and gave myself the opportunities to make some putts and I was able to do that.
"I ordered a new putter a couple of weeks ago and it arrived this week, so it's nice to finally get it and it felt good. The pace felt much better today and I'm happy."
Paul Casey continued his excellent recent form with a flawless 68, a score matched by Scotland's WGC-HSBC Champions winner Russell Knox, while Matt Fitzpatrick and Ian Poulter were three under for the day with Luke Donald joining Willett a shot further back.
