Danny Willett first Englishman to win US Masters since 1996

Danny Willett has won the US Masters Credit: Reuters

Danny Willett has won the US Masters - the first Briton to do so since Nick Faldo in 1996.

He took advantage of a stunning meltdown by defending champion Jordan Spieth after the turn to win his first major title at the 80th Masters on Sunday.

Danny Willett has won the US Masters Credit: USA Today Sports/Reuters

Willett, three strokes behind the pace-setting Spieth after 54 holes at Augusta National, closed with a five-under-par 67

The 28-year-old from Sheffield is also the first European since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999 to don the Green Jacket - the winner's prize - at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.

But he may not even have been at the tournament if his wife had not given birth to their first child ahead of her due date.

Wife Nicole's due date for their child was on Sunday and Willett said he would not have taken part at Augusta if the baby had not been born.

However their son, Zachariah James, was born via C-section a week ahead of the tournament.

Willett putts during the US Masters Credit: Reuters

Willett's brother Matthew, a firefighter who used to caddy for the new Masters champion, told Good Morning Britain his talent became clear from a young age.

He said: "On holiday we used to go down to a little pitch and putt and play there. He seemed to be the one who took to it best."

Matthew said he was "really proud" of his brother's achievement.

"It's not sunk in yet," he said. "I just can't believe he's done it. It was just a pleasure to watch."

Matthew Willett and his wife Rebecca speak to Good Morning Britain. Credit: GMB

Willett's father Stephen told ITV News that he had "never expected" the triumph and had been convinced that Speith was in the lead until the 16th hole.

"We had actually, me and my missus, turned to each other and when Speith was 500 and said 'Well, second's not bad,'" he said.

"And then....all of a sudden the whole thing was turned around."

He said the golfer was looking forward to some family time with his new baby after his win, adding: "I think he's just desperately looking forward to coming home and being a dad."

Danny Willett

  • Born in Sheffield in 1987

  • Took up golf because he struggled to beat his brothers at other sports

  • Went to Jacksonville State University in Alabama on a golfing scholarship

  • Became the world's top-ranked amateur in 2008

  • Clinched his first European Tour victory at the 2012 BMW International Open in Germany

  • Won twice on the European Tour in the 2015 season. Also made his Masters debut where he finishing joint 38th