Eight-time DP World Tour winner Willett, who shot to global attention with his epic Masters victory at Augusta in 2016, received his award from PGA Captain Sarah Bennett at the annual PGA Lunch held in London on December 16.
Sheffield-born Willett was a member of Rotherham Golf Club and won the English Amateur Championship in 2007, the same year he played in the Walker Cup at Royal County Down. The 35-year-old became the number one ranked amateur in the world before securing a golf scholarship at Jacksonville State University (Alabama).
Willett turned professional in 2008 and earned his first European Tour card a year later after coming through qualifying school. His first victory on the Tour came at the BMW International Open in Cologne in June 2012.
Willett has eight DP World Tour titles to his name, but he is most fondly remembered for his Major victory in the Masters at Augusta six years ago. The Yorkshireman won the event with a bogey-free final round of 67 and in doing so, became the first British winner of the Masters in 20 years since Nick Faldo’s triumph in 1996.
Willett has also raised the profile and thousands of pounds for Prostate Cancer UK. Through his support to the charity, Willett has raised more than £80,000, including as host of the British Masters for the past two years. In addition, Willett has been carrying Prostate Cancer’s Man of Men logo on his tour bag to help raise awareness.
Commenting on receiving the PGA Recognition Award, Willett said: “It’s a huge honour to be recognised by The PGA for my achievements so far in the game of golf and I really appreciate their support. Hopefully I can add a few more to that list in the years to come. I think there needs to be a special mention to all the PGA Professionals who are helping to develop and build the game of golf all over the world, they are the real heroes!”