Willett: Unfazed on Golf Night

I've just come out here to try and get a bit of experience and play well. This is a big learning curve.

Danny Willett on making his pro debut at the Wales Open.
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Danny Willett told Golf Night that he was keeping his feet firmly on the ground after swapping the amateur ranks for the professional game.

The 20-year old vicar's son, who was previously the world's number one amateur, made his pro debut at the Celtic Manor Wales Open, coming in 45th after round one.

But the Yorkshireman reckons he's taken the transition in his stride, despite making his pro bow on unfamiliar territory at the Celtic Manor Resort's new 2010 Ryder Cup course.

"I'm trying to treat it [playing as a professional] exactly the same," Willett told Golf Night.

"You say it mentally to yourself to try and give yourself the best approach but I don't think there'll be much pressure - I've just come out here [to Wales] to try and get a bit of experience and play well. This is a big learning curve.

"I've not changed anything really. I've stayed with the same sponsors, it's just coming out here and doing it for money that's the only difference."

Experience

Willett had planned to try for his pro card in November but opted for a mid-season switch after two impressive performances on the European Tour. He bagged two eagles to finish second to Lee Westwood in round one of the Andalucian Open before eventually clinching 19th spot, and went one better in the Spanish Open, carding a third round of 64 - only three amateurs have ever shot lower in Tour history - as he came home in tenth.

"Those two tournaments really opened my eyes," Willett admitted.

"The first one was a really nice experience - I played well - and the second one, well I had to shoot a certain number on the second round to make the cut and I did it. I felt like my game was getting there, that I could compete.

"Obviously there are certain areas where some guys are better - one thing that a lot of them do well is distance control, so I've worked on that.

"But I looked at the Tour schedule and thought I may as well try and get my invites and make my card that way."

Willett hopes to get seven European Tour invitations for the remainder of the season, in a bid to earn enough money to avoid a trip to qualifying school - but remains pragmatic about the future.

"I basically have to try and finish inside the top 118 on the money list but I always felt that if I could get seven invites on the European Tour and played well, I'd have a good chance of making enough money. A top three would almost get you your card so a couple of good weeks in seven events and it's really possible.

"Even if this doesn't come off how I plan, it still gives me a bit more experience. If I do it, great, if not, I can always go back to Tour school."