Find Me A 100 Winner / Paul Krishnamurty / 02 June 2009 /

Former the world's top amateur, Willett has the goods to land three-figure odds at the Celtic Manor Wales Open, says Paul Krishnamurty.

With his odds on the drift after a couple of disappointing tournaments, this could be a good opportunity to back one of golf's best young prospects to land his breakthrough title. When Danny Willett finished eighth in penal, windy conditions at the Ballantines Championship five weeks ago, it was yet more confirmation of the 21-year-old's tremendous promise and his odds were duly slashed for the following event. Yet two missed cuts - not entirely unpredictable for a young man in his first full professional season - and Willett is back at the tantalising odds of [110.0].

During his teenage years, Willett swiftly built a formidable reputation amongst the amateurs. He'd played in the Walker Cup and become world No.1 amateur before reaching his 20th birthday, an achievement that looks even better when considering the seemingly endless conveyer belt of emerging ex-amateur talent. Recent winner Shane Lowry was an amateur, as was Pablo Martin when winning a couple of years ago. Chris Wood, a strong contender once again last week and another plausible first-time winner, was still an amateur when finishing fifth in last year's Open. Yet Willett's rapid progress as an amateur were superior to any of those players' achievements at that level.

Willett has looked liked he belonged in the pro ranks from day one, and has already produced a number of impressive high finishes. In my view, he is capable of winning in his rookie season, and worth backing on a fairly frequent basis while he still lurks amongst the outsiders. One day, we will look back and reminisce about the days when we backed one of the world's best at over 100/1 in average Euro Tour events.

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