10 Things You Didn’t Know About Danny Willett

Here are 10 things you didn't know about the English golfer from Sheffield

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Danny Willett
(Image credit: Getty Images)

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Danny Willett

1. Danny Willett’s father is a vicar and his mother is a maths teacher at a comprehensive school in Barnsley. In spite of that, Willett left school at the age of 16. His mother Elisabet is Swedish-born which explains why Willett has an English and Swedish flag on his bag.

2. Willett attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama after becoming one of England Golf’s top prospects

3. He has three brothers – one younger and two elder. His two elder brothers introduced him to the game of golf.

4. He reached the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings in 2008. That year, while still an amateur, he appeared on the front cover of Golf Monthly magazine.

5. He was coached by former Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach Graham Walker and Pete Cowen but moved to Sean Foley after losing his game post-Masters win.

6. His son Zachariah was born on the 29th March but his original due date was the 10th April. The 10th April also happens to be his wife, Nicole’s, birthday. The pair have another son called Noah.

Willett and his family


7. Willett has won eight times on the DP World Tour. His other victories came at the 2012 BMW International Open, the 2014 Nedbank Golf Challenge, the 2015 Omega European Masters, 2016 Masters, the 2016 Dubai Desert Classic and the 2018 DP World Tour Championship.

8. Willett moved up to a career-high 9th in the Official World Golf Ranking with his victory at the 2016 Masters. He was ranked outside the top 100 just 12 months before.

9. His best previous major finish was T6th in the 2015 Open at St. Andrews. He also had a tied 6th at the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush.

10. Willett was a member of the 2007 Walker Cup side which included Rory McIlroy at Royal County Down. The USA won the match with a team including the likes of Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Billy Horschel.

Sam Tremlett
E-commerce Editor

A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly. 

Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes. 

He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for.


Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel. 

He also oversees all Tour player content as well so if you need to know what clubs Tiger or Rory has in play, Sam is the person to ask. 

Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five. 


Sam's What's In The Bag: 

Driver: Titleist TS3 (9 degrees) 

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees) 

Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚ 

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 

Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond

Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Infinity NEXT%/Cuater The Ringer