Masters Champion Danny Willett was presented with honorary life membership of the European Tour on Tuesday evening when nearly 100 players gathered at the BMW PGA Championship Reception.
Willett is preparing to make his first UK appearance since his wonderful victory at Augusta National in April, and will have an extra spring in his step after being given his silver membership card by European Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley.
Defending champion Byeong Hun An of Korea also received two awards at the reception – the Sir Henry Rookie of the Year and the Challenge Tour Graduate of the Year – in recognition of his brilliant maiden season in 2015.
The cream of the European Tour will contest a €5million prize fund at Wentworth Club this week, including 2014 Ryder Cup stars Thomas Bjørn, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, Stephen Gallacher, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood.
Quotes
Danny Willett
“It’s brilliant to be back at the BMW PGA and Wentworth. I’m fortunate enough to have played this event quite a few years in a row, and obviously as a British player it’s great. Hopefully I can play a little bit better than last week and come Sunday be there or thereabouts. I think the expectations are going to be quite high from a lot of other people but I’m not really fussed about other people expecting.
“It’s a great honour to receive (honorary life membership). I found out a couple of weeks ago that I was going to get it. It’s amazing to be recognised by peers and the European Tour and by everyone. Everything that has happened over the last couple of months just makes you realise exactly what you have achieved. The European Tour is like a massive family, so to be recognised like this is very special. Winning a Major Championship is obviously great itself, but it is also everything that comes with it.”
Byeong Hun An
“When I play the course, I feel really comfortable and I know where to hit and where to not hit. It feels a bit different from going to other events, being defending champion and seeing my face everywhere. I feel really relaxed. The win was definitely life-changing. It got me into a lot of events and boosted my confidence that I could compete, and I did well in the Final Series last year. I was 133rd in the world before this week last year, and I’m 25th right now.”
Lee Westwood
“It’s a big week for any European Tour player, but I think especially the ones from Britain. We don’t play too many tournaments in front of home fans nowadays, and I guess after The Open Championship, this is the next biggest thing. It’s nice to play in front of a home gallery and all those cheers. The crowds really get behind the home players this week. I feel like my game is in good shape, and tenth was probably about the worst I could have done last week. It was a bit of a slow start after five weeks off but I gradually got going as the week went on.”
Luke Donald
“It’s always nice to come back to a place where I’ve had a lot of success and a lot of great memories and see some friends and family that I don’t get to see too often. It’s an event I love playing. Even today, we had probably a few thousand people walking around watching our group, and it just makes for a great atmosphere. The course is in pretty good condition and it’s playing quite firm right now, which I think is the way Wentworth plays best. I’m looking forward to the week.”
Russell Knox
“It’s great to be here. I grew up watching this tournament and always dreamed of getting to play here. It’s my first time here and it seems like an amazing event.”
