Danny Willett is hoping to see the fruits of his labour in practice this week when he tees it up at the Tshwane Open.
The Englishman shut down his 2017 season after the Andalucia Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation due to a shoulder injury and has missed his three cuts so far this campaign as he makes his comeback.
The 2016 Masters Tournament champion has been working hard to get back to full fitness and back to his best - keeping his fans updated on social media - and insists that more time spent on the course as well as the range will bring rewards.
"The game is better, practice is going really well," he said. "But it’s just that at tournaments - I kind of have to play more tournament golf. That is what you miss when you’re out with rehab and with injury.
New swing starting to bed in 🏌️♂️ pic.twitter.com/D6QZkEdn3W
— Danny Willett (@Danny_Willett) February 23, 2018
"We’ve been practising really hard at home and training really hard and it’s now just about putting it in, playing the golf course, and getting used to a few shots that you don’t quite feel comfortable with.
"Or certain flags and certain shot shapes into holes and into greens, so I think as much as you can recreate that on the driving range, you still must hit it differently when you get on the golf course."
This is Willett's first visit to Pretoria Country Club after finishing in a tie for fifth at the inaugural Tshwane Open in 2013 at Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate.
The 30 year old is delighted to be back in South Africa - a country where he tasted victory at the 2015 Nedbank Golf Challenge - and belives the Pretoria layout will suit his game.
We’ve been practising really hard at home and training really hard - Danny Willett
"It’s always good to be back down in South Africa," he said. "There’s always a warm welcome when I come back down here.
"I’ve played a lot down here in my nine years on tour. Always good to come back and all the grasses, I know most of the golf courses pretty well.
"Most of the time, fingers crossed, we get beautiful weather, so I really love to come back to South Africa to play golf.
"Copperleaf was pretty wide open, pretty exposed and very long. This place is exactly the opposite. So I’m pretty sure, especially with the altitude you get out here, you’ve got to keep the ball in play. Very tightly tree-lined, small greens but a real old school beautiful golf course.
"I like both (Copperleaf and Pretoria Country Club) but this is kind of what I was used to growing up back home as well. This is very similar to the golf course we play back home. Small greens, you’ve got to be in play off the tee, so I’m looking forward to it."
