Danny Willett: Who is England's surprise of The Open?

Sheffield-born golfer had three stroke lead after second round

England's Danny Willett is in contention at The Open (Getty Images)

Danny Willett was the surprise Open leader after the second round, his score of 69 leaving him nine under for the tournament.

Here, we take a closer look at the Sheffield-born player:

Willett turned pro in 2008, having won the English Amateur Championship the year before, and he finished 58th in his first season on the European Tour.

He is currently ranked 39th in the world, a career high for the Yorkshireman.

Like many young promising English golfers, Willett went to university in America, although he left Jacksonville University after two years without a degree.

Before St Andrews, Willett was 100/1 to lift the Claret Jug.

This is only his 10th appearance in a major, and the sixth time he has made the cut.

Willett's best performance in a major was tied for 15th in the 2013 Open.

He has two career tournament wins, the 2012 BMW International Open and the 2014 Nedbank Golf Challenge.

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