“Being able to drive down Magnolia Lane in the back of a past champion’s car, that was something most people can only dream of.”
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The dream became a reality for Andy Rossington, who could have never imagined his year would start with a trip to the Masters as Danny Willett’s coach.
The Lindrick head professional who ‘dreamt of having a putt to win The Open as a child’ was now driving down Magnolia Lane in an experience that ‘very few people can be afforded’.
Rossington, who has known the Sheffield star since he was a teenager, stepped into the role as the 2016 Masters champion’s coach towards the back end of last year.
The pair played amateur golf together at Hallows in the same four-ball as Sheffield juniors and was the platform for a get-together heading into 2025.
Speaking on the NCG Top 100s podcast, the experienced PGA professional said: “We’ve spoken a lot in the past about the golf swing and about golf and played a lot of golf together.
“And then towards the back end of last year, Dan asked me my opinion on things which he’s done in the past, and I’m really fortunate to be picking up a player who’s worked with incredible coaches.”
By Rossington’s own admission their work together was more steady than spectacular but then came the opportunity of a lifetime; to attend The Masters as his coach.
He said: “I was there to work; I wasn’t there as a spectator. I wasn’t going with starry-eyed glasses on, I was there to do my job. I was doing my job in an incredibly manicured place. But some of the experiences will never leave me.
“On the Sunday, to spend time with past champions in an environment that only they can access, is something that I’m forever grateful for, and then to spend the week just seeing just how perfectly run a tournament is.”
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The Lindrick head professional added he was still speechless and felt a touch out of place, even with his vast experience as an accredited member of the PGA.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have gone to several events,” he added. “Now, yeah, so you start to get familiar in what is an unfamiliar environment at first. It was chaos to me. I came back home, and you look at the Masters credential badge asking myself, ‘did I really expect that when I set out as a professional golfer?’ ‘Did I think that a year ago?’ No.
“On the Sunday, Dan showed me the locker room, and that was special. Dan and I just had lunch on terrace overlooking the lawn where the putting green. I’m trying to make it the norm, even though it isn’t the norm. I’m more comfortable walking the dog around the village and calling to local pub.”
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