Danny Willett fired a Sunday round of 68 to claim his first victory in over two years at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
The 31-year old Englishman, who last won in April 2016 at Augusta National, finished his final day at Jumeirah Golf Estates with two bogeys offset by an eagle and four birdies including three gains on his final five holes en route to a winning score of 18-under par.
“It’s been a lot of hard work,” said an emotional Willett, who has struggled badly since winning the Masters over 31 months ago.
“It’s been tough. I’m just massively proud of myself and everyone that’s been around me.
“You never quite know when a win is around the corner and with all the things that have happened, I was never quite sure if it was going to happen again.
“To happen here at the end of year, we’ve battled long and hard through this season to come out at the end, regardless of what happened today, a better person and a better athlete. It’s a special place.
“It’s been a hell of a lot of work and it’s just nice to be back.”
Overnight co-leader Patrick Reed shot a 2-under 70 to finish T2 alongside Englishman Matt Wallace (68) at 16 under.
Defending champion Jon Rahm (68) was then at 14 under alongside fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui (69) and South African Dean Burmester (70).
DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
TOP 5 LEADERS: FINAL ROUND
Pos-Player-To Par (Today)
1. Danny Willett -18 (-4)
2. Patrick Reed -16 (-2)
3. Matt Wallace -16 (-4)
4. Jon Rahm -14 (-4)
4. Adrian Otaegui -14 (-3)
4. Dean Burmester -14 (-2)
TOP-3 CHECK CASHERS
1. Danny Willett – $1,333,330
2. Patrick Reed – $694,840
3. Matt Wallace – $694,840
WILLETT: ROUND BY ROUND
Round-Pos-To Par (Rd Score)
Rd 1: 3rd, -5 (-5)
Rd 2: 2nd, -10 (-5)
Rd 3: 1st, -14 (-4)
Rd 4: 1st, -18 (-4)
WILLETT’S WINNING STATS
Driving: 302.4 yards (17th)
Fairways: 40/56, 71.4% (12th)
Greens: 59/72, 81.9% (3rd)
Putting/GIR: 1.61 (1st)
Scoring: 1 Eagle, 23 Birdies, 41 Pars, 7 Bogeys
WINNER’S CIRCLE
QUOTABLE
“You never quite know when a win is around the corner and with all the things that have happened, I was never quite sure if it was going to happen again.”
– Danny Willett
