Willett remains patient in bid to reach top 100

The 22-year-old Rotherham golfer has steadily climbed the rankings in his first 16 months as a professional and currently stands in 122nd, with a place in the top 100 and with it a spot in the field for the US PGA, his target for the summer ahead.

And the former World No 1 amateur, who is yet to win on the European Tour after nine-top 10 finishes, acknowledges he will not reach his goal by rushing towards over-ambitious targets.

"My world ranking is getting a bit better, even though my golf hasn't been that spectacular," said Willett, who ends a four-week break at the Malaysia Open today. "Things will come, I just have to remember to stay patient and keep enjoying myself."

His best finish of the year so far was fourth place at the Joburg Open in January, which preceded a fallow stretch in the desert.

"I could have challenged in Joburg had it not been for a couple of bad holes," reflected Willett.

John Parry of Harrogate is also in the field.

TOM Hesketh, an assistant at Oakdalle, maintained his recent rich form from Yorkshire PGA trainees events as the Harrogate Winter Alliance returned to action at Pannal yesterday.

He made seven birdies in an event played over 17 holes as he and his club's member John Wade posted 48 stableford points to win by two from four other couples.

Yorkshire's Carley Warrington, from Sickleholme, scored a play-off victory at the Saint Andrews Invitational at Woodlake Golf and Country Club, North Carolina on the US college circuit