Former Masters champion Danny Willett will enjoy two new experiences when he makes his European Tour return in the 2020 ISPS Handa UK Championship at The Belfry.
Willett’s wife Nicole will make her caddying debut on Thursday as her husband gets a first competitive taste of a venue which has staged four Ryder Cups and last hosted the British Masters in 2008, the year Willett turned professional.
Asked what prompted the decision to give regular caddie Sam Haywood a week off, Willett said: “Sam’s worked a lot and has been away from his friends and family a lot. He has done six-week stints in the USA with isolating both sides.
“This week is one where I said, you know what, my wife and I haven’t had more than two hours alone in seven months – we’ve had the kids on our own (in America) since January – so I said we’ll use this to have a bit of time together on our own.
“With everything being pretty strict over here with the bubble I thought it would be a good decision to have her.
“She has never caddied for me before. We played golf together in the States and a couple of times back here. She’s a bit nervous, she doesn’t want to get anything wrong.
“Luckily we’ve got a nice draw with Bernd (Wiesberger) and Laney (caddie Jamie Lane), who’s a good pal of ours, and (Matt) Wallace. So hopefully they’ll be raking bunkers for me and making sure she’s looked after.”
Willett’s only experience of The Belfry before this week was as a teenage spectator during the practice rounds for the 2002 Ryder Cup, but if the course and caddie are not what the 32-year-old is used to then there will at least be plenty of familiar faces in the field.
“It’s nice to see some more familiar faces and get back to the European Tour, he added.
“I’m lucky to have a 120 yard pitching area in the house and a simulator. I’ve also got a gym in the house so I’ve been able to do a nice bit of work.
“I’ve been doing as much as I probably could do in those terms. So we’ll have to wait and see, I rested up nicely and spent some time with the family at home, and we’ll go out and see where we’re at.”
Willett's playing partner Wiesberger also has limited playing experience of The Belfry, but does remember some famous moments at the venue.
“I remember a few shots that have been historically famous here,” said the Austrian.
“Obviously Seve driving the tenth, Nick Faldo holing out at The Ryder Cup, Paul McGinley getting up and down. A few famous shots but the course itself I had not too much expectation of because I don’t remember too many holes.
“That was the reason to see some holes yesterday, get an idea of what we are facing when we are playing it.
“I have a good idea, enjoyed my 18 holes out there today. A lot of really good golf holes, a couple of gettable ones, all in all a good balance. Mixed with some very famous holes from the past, I’m sure it will make for a good tournament.”
