Willett honoured by BBC Sports Personality selection

Danny Willett admits he is happy to fly the flag for golf in Sunday’s BBC Sports Personality of The Year show.

The 29-year-old will be the sole golfing representative among the 16 sportsmen and women up for the award, with Andy Murray the favourite to lift the trophy after his phenomenal year and rise to the top of the world rankings.

Willett played his best golf at the start of 2016, claiming a first Green Jacket at the Masters as he took advantage of Jordan Spieth’s meltdown to win the year’s first major.

His form tailed off during the season but there is every reason to suggest the Yorkshireman will be back as good as ever next year.

The Sheffield-born star says he has not watched the show that much in recent times but is delighted to be involved this time around.

“It is a great honour for me and it?s really good for golf to keep us on that global page with the other athletes and for it to be seen as a proper sport,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“I have not watched it loads in recent years, but it is a fantastic way of bringing loads of sports together and recognising fantastic achievements that you might not ordinarily recognise.”

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