Danny Willett surges in ‘unexpected’ first round after nearly sitting out Masters

Danny Willett, a professional golfer from Sheffield, England, defied expectations and put together an impressive performance during the opening round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. After dealing with injury issues and considering not participating in this year's event, Willett surprised many by carding a score of 4-under-par 68 – the third-best score among the early starters.

Willett's victory at the 2016 Masters was a significant moment for him, as it marked his first major championship title and made him the first Englishman to win the tournament since Nick Faldo in 1996. However, since then, he has struggled with injuries and inconsistent form. In the lead-up to this year's Masters, there were doubts about his participation due to ongoing injury concerns.

Despite these challenges, Willett arrived at Augusta National determined to give it his all. He began his round on the back nine and started strong with a birdie on the par-5 13th hole. He continued his solid play with another birdie on the par-5 15th hole. After a bogey on the par-3 16th hole, he bounced back with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole to make the turn at 1-under-par 35.

On the front nine, Willett continued his impressive play with three more birdies on holes 1, 3, and 7. He dropped a shot on the par-3 5th hole but managed to recover with a birdie on the par-5 8th hole to finish his round with a score of 4-under-par 68.

Willett's performance was particularly noteworthy given his recent struggles and the uncertainty surrounding his participation in this year's tournament. His strong start places him in a good position going into the second round and serves as a reminder of his potential as a major championship contender.

The first round of the Masters saw several other notable performances, including Jon Rahm's 5-under-par 67 and Justin Thomas' 3-under-par 69. However, it was Willett's unexpected surge that stole the spotlight for many golf fans and pundits alike. With two more rounds to play, Willett will be looking to build on his strong start and potentially add another major championship title to his resume.