Daniel Willett makes debut as a pro
at Celtic Manor next week

Yorkshireman Daniel Willett, No 1 in the R&A's world amateur rankings, has turned professional.
He will make his debut in the pro ranks in next week's Celtic Manor Wales Open.
Willett, born in Rotherham, is only 20 and could have cleaned up on the amateur circuits of the world for at least a couple of years. But he has decided he is already a good enough player to start earning big money, even if, in the first instance, he will have to rely on invitations to play on the European Tour.
Playing as an amateur he finished 19th in the Andalucian Open in March and came 10th in the Spanish Open, again for no cash reward, at the beginning of this month.
Willett was a student at Jacksonville State University, Alabama when he played in the last Walker Cup match at Royal County Down Golf Club.
He cut short his career on the US college circuit to come to the forefront of European amateur golf, winning the English championship.
He did not play in last weekend's English open amateur stroke-play for the Brabazon Trophy because he knew the decision about him turning pro was imminent.
“I felt the time was right to turn pro after playing in the two professional tournaments earlier this year,” Willett said. “I felt comfortable playing in those events. I didn’t feel out of place, and felt I was capable of playing at that level. I didn’t want to hang around and not take the opportunity now.
"I’ve got the two starts on the European Tour and I’ll try to qualify for the Open, too. I don’t think I’ll play the (European) Challenge Tour. I’ll try to get my European Tour card through playing on the main European Tour. Hopefully if I play well enough then seven tournaments can turn to eight or nine top-10 finishes.
"Hopefully I can win enough money to earn my card though invites, but if not I will go through the European Tour Qualifying School at the end of the year.
“I loved playing amateur golf but I’d done everything there was to do. The time was right for me to turn professional now.”
Willett has signed with Tengo Sports Agency, which is run by Ian Mackenzie, brother of former European Tour player Malcolm Mackenzie. The 20-year-old has an invite to play in the Russian Open.
As an affiliate member of the European Tour, Willett can accept up to seven invites. If he equals the money earned by the last player to earn a full card last year (E212,657), then he can play a full schedule after that.
Willett rose to prominence when he defeated Rory McIlroy in the second round of the British Amateur Championship. He followed up that feat by winning the English Amateur championship and the South of England Championship to earn a place on the Walker Cup team.
He began the year by winning the Spanish Amateur Championship in March, a victory that earned him invitations to the two European Tour events in Spain. Willett then backed up his Spanish Amateur triumph by winning the Australian Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Royal Adelaide Golf Club in April.