Danny Willett's Nagging Shoulder Injury Flares Up at BMW PGA Championship

The 2016 Masters champion has played with a left shoulder tear for years and still played Thursday, but surgery may not be far off.

SURREY, England — Danny Willett was going well in the BMW PGA Championship, at 6 under through 14 holes, before a tear in his left shoulder caused his swing to go off kilter.

While not in pain, the 35-year-old said he lost feeling in his left hand and his swing went awry, which was evident Thursday over his last four holes with two double bogeys, a bogey and a par to finish at 1 under.

“I hit balls half an hour Tuesday, half an hour yesterday and then the warmup today and actually in fairness I felt pretty strong,” Willett said. “But when it goes, it goes.”

Danny Willett withdrew from last week's Irish Open but for now is continuing to play at the BMW PGA Championship :: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Willett has been able to manage the tear for years, but in the opening round of last week's Irish Open it was a problem. The shoulder started to cause issues on the tee shot on the 14th hole and it got progressively worse over the last four holes, forcing him to withdraw.

He got an MRI on Monday and learned that the tear he's had for years had doubled in size in nine months. He will visit a surgeon in Manchester on Monday to determine the best course of action.

“Basically, the tendon like jumped over because the joint's not sitting in properly,” Willett said. “I need to get my rotator cuff stronger.”

Willett said his swing is feeling good and aside from the shoulder he feels good about his game. But the surgeon will have a say Monday.

The 2016 Masters champion believes if he requires surgery, it will be six to nine months before he would be able to return to professional golf.

“It just doesn't allow you to do everything that you want to do—can’t practice as much as you want to practice and train like you want to train, but we've managed it pretty good,” he said.

Willett plans to give it a go Friday at Wentworth with no expectations.

“I'll train again in the morning see if I can get it somewhere where it feels strong," Willett said. “Fingers crossed.”