Masters champion Danny Willett wants to experience the same support that roared Rory McIlroy to a home victory last week after making a flawless start to the BMW PGA Championship.
In his first round in England since winning his maiden major title at Augusta, Willett carded six birdies and no bogeys in an opening 66 at Wentworth to finish a shot behind YE Yang, Joost Luiten and Scott Hend.
The 28-year-old from Sheffield experienced at first hand the backing McIlroy received in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, playing alongside the four-time major winner in the final round.
And although he slipped to a tie for 23rd after a closing 77, Willett would like the English crowds to replicate the atmosphere which helped McIlroy claim his first win of the year at the K Club.
“The reception on the first tee was amazing,” said Willett.
“Last week in Ireland was fantastic, but I had a little bit more support out there being a home boy in England. We got a great reception all the way around.”
Hend, who won his second European Tour title in Thailand in March, carded eight birdies and a solitary bogey on the 15th as a more conservative approach paid off for the big-hitting 43-year-old.
Yang, who made history in the 2009 US PGA as the first player to come from behind to beat Tiger Woods in the final round of a major, also carded eight birdies and one bogey.
Luiten bogeyed the first and 16th holes but fired nine birdies to bounce back in style from rounds of 75 and 80 in Ireland.
Australia’s Richard Green, England’s Robert Rock and South Africa’s Jaco van Zyl were two shots off the pace, with former world No 1 Luke Donald delighted with an opening 68.
Donald began the week ranked 76th in the world.
He said: “The last year or two has been tough, I’ve struggled to gain confidence and feel comfortable.
“But the last couple of months I’m feeling more and more comfortable, and it’s nice to see some better results.”
Defending champion Byeong Hun An held the early lead when he carded four birdies in succession from the fourth.
However, he went on to bogey the ninth and cover the back nine in 40 to card a level-par 72.
David Drysdale and Craig Lee were the top Scots on two under, one shot better placed than Richie Ramsay and Greig Hutcheon.
