Masters champion Willett to make his first appearance since Major win at the Irish Open in Kildare

Danny Willett, the unlikely champion from the Masters in Augusta last weekend, will make his first appearance since that unbelievable triumph when he tees off for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at the K Club next month.

Willett was crowned champion after he carded a superb final round 67 in Augusta, coinciding with long time leader Jordan Spieth's meltdown, and he eventually finished three strokes ahead of Spieth and Lee Westwood, who finished tied for second.

There had been murmurings that Willett would make an appearance at the Irish Open, and it is now clear that the influence of Rory McIlroy has helped to persuade the English golfer into competing at the Straffan golf course in May.

“The Irish Open is going to be awesome,” said Willett.

“It’s a great event. Last year at County Down was pretty special, especially for me having played in the Walker Cup there in 2007. This year, we are at The K Club and it’s going to be a special week."

“Rory has done a magnificent job with the tournament, and what he is doing for the European Tour and golf in Ireland in general. I think with the field we are going to have there, amazing crowds as always and an iconic venue like The K Club, it’s going to be a brilliant tournament. I am really looking forward to making my first appearance in Europe there.”

Along with Spieth, there will be a number of high profile names competing for one of the European Tour's most prestigious prizes. Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington, all former Major champions from Ireland, along with former Irish Open champion Shane Lowry, will be some of the big names on show.

Søren Kjeldsen, who also performed well in Augusta, will be looking to defend his Irish Open title that he won last year in Royal County Down.

McIlroy tweeted earlier to confirm that Willett will be competing alongside him at the Irish Open, a tournament which McIlroy's charity the Rory Foundation helped to organise.

https://twitter.com/McIlroyRory/status/720226968319483904