"Proud" Danny Willett crowns his comeback with PGA Championship win

DANNY Willett hailed an "incredibly special" moment after winning the BMW PGA Championship.

The man who was blighted by bad form and injury after his 2016 Masters triumph proved he is back to his best with his victory at Wentworth.

A year after missing the cut on the same course, Rotherham Golf Club pro Willett beat off the challenge of Spaniard Jon Rahm with a closing-day 67 to win by three shots.

The new champion said: "I have had some great weeks at Wentworth and not won so be able to come away as a champion around such an iconic golf course, and on home soil, I don't think many guys can ask for much more. It has been incredibly special.

"It wasn't all plain sailing. Jon played some great golf as well and you have to really stay on your toes and dig in deep. I got that little bit of breathing room down the last hole but you still have to hit the shots. I am really proud of what I've been able to achieve."

From a world ranking outside the world's top 400 a year ago, Willett has shot up to no. 31 with his seventh European Tour win. His comeback victory came in Dubai at the end of last year and he has shown gradual improvement since.

Danny celebrated on the 18th at Wentworth with his wife Nicole and his two young sons.

He added: "There were some really dark times when the game was really bad and the body was bad and I probably wasn't smiling much then but in the last 12 to 18 months I know I've been right in body and mind. 

"These moments put everything in perspective. It's nice to be back."