Forget Jordan, Danny won it!


One a dramatic final day at Augusta, Neil Tappin asks whether Jordan Spieth threw it away or Danny Willett 2016 Masters Champion, won it
As Sky were waiting for their live coverage to begin, previewing the final round of the 2016 Masters, there was a shot of Jordan Spieth and Jason Day having a laugh and a joke on the practice range. David Livingstone asked Paul McGinley what he thought of this strangely friendly meeting between fierce rivals. McGinley’s response was interesting – in golf, ultimately you play against the course, not each other.
Danny Willett handled the test of Augusta better than anyone this week. Fact. That Jordan Spieth was five ahead on the 10th tee and three behind walking off the 12th, is immaterial. The challenge facing the Sheffield man at the start of the day was huge. He needed to compile a solid front nine to stay in touch with Jordan Spieth. Check. He then needed to navigate Amen Corner without disaster. Check. He then needed to step on the gas to move up the leaderboard. Check. Finally he needed to make it back to the safety of the clubhouse unharmed. Check.
PODCAST: Golf Monthly Masters 2016 Review
The pressure of the final round at the Masters is immense, no matter whether you’re leading or chasing. Two years ago, Danny Willett would likely have faltered as many of the rest did. But after finishing second on the Race to Dubai last year and winning the Dubai Desert Classic (what many describe as the Middle East major) earlier this, there was no doubting that Willett was becoming a major champion in the making.
Danny Willett Swing Sequence Video
Enter Augusta April 2016. With a sniff of the lead Willett was more in control of his ball flight and his emotions than anyone else. Drives were fired fearlessly down the fairway, iron shots dispatched at the target and the putts kept dropping. This was a supreme performance - this was the Danny Willett 2016 Masters.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
As the dust settles on the 2016 Tournament, Jordan Spieth will get the majority of the headlines. But Willett has the Green Jacket. Augusta has and always will be the ultimate test of nerve. Just as we thought Spieth was untouchable, the golfing Gods bit back, showing us just how mental the challenge is. Indeed it was this that made Willett’s performance so impressive. All that could go wrong, didn’t. The reward is a place in golfing history.

In July 2023, Neil became just the 9th editor in Golf Monthly's 112-year history. Originally working with the best coaches in the UK to produce instruction content, he has also presented many Golf Monthly videos looking at all areas of the game from Tour player interviews to the rules of golf.
Throughout his time with the brand he has also covered equipment launches that date back well over a decade. He clearly remembers the launch of the Callaway and Nike square drivers as well as the white TaylorMade driver families, such as the RocketBallz! If you take a look at the Golf Monthly YouTube channel, you'll see his equipment videos dating back over a decade! He has also conducted 'What's In The Bag' interviews with many of the game's best players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. Over the years, Neil has tested a vast array of products in each category and at drastically different price-points.
Neil is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Fairway Wood: Titleist TSR2 Hybrid: Titleist TS3 Irons: PING Blueprint S (4&5), PING Blueprint T (6-PW) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 50˚, 54˚, 60˚ Putter: Odyssey Triple Track Ten Ball: Titleist Pro V1X
-
Andrew Novak And Ben Griffin Seal Maiden PGA Tour Titles At Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
The duo held off the challenges of Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard and Frank Capan III and Jake Knapp to win the TPC Louisiana team tournament
By Mike Hall
-
Mao Saigo Claims Maiden Major Title At Chevron Championship Title After Thrilling Five-Way Sudden Death Playoff
The Japanese star made a birdie on the first extra hole at The Club at Carlton Wood as her four challengers faltered
By Mike Hall
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!
In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
By Neil Tappin
-
What Is Tiger Woods' Net Worth?
Tiger Woods became the first billion dollar athlete in 2009
By Elliott Heath
-
Five Outsiders Who Could Win The Masters
We consider five players who might surprise the favourites and claim victory at Augusta
By Fergus Bisset
-
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Girlfriend?
Find out more on who the American professional golfer is going out with here.
By Matt Cradock
-
Bermuda Championship Golf Betting Tips 2021
Who is the GM Tipster backing to win this week in Bermuda?
By Jeremy Chapman
-
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
By Matt Cradock
-
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
By Matt Cradock
-
Hideki Matsuyama Claims Zozo Championship On Home Soil
Hideki Matsuyama Claims Zozo Championship On Home Soil
By Matt Cradock