Masters rookie Danny Willett has played it smart getting the excitement of driving down Magnolia Lane for a first time out of the way ahead of his Augusta National debut.

Willett played a practice round last Sunday on the Georgia golfing gem ahead of joining 19 others competing for a first time in the new season’s first Major.

The 27-year Sheffield-born Willett qualified for the Masters by ending 2014 inside the top-50 as the then 47th world ranked player.

In fact, the Callaway-attached Willett brilliantly cemented his place in the Masters on the back of victory four weeks earlier in capturing the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa and the opening event of the 2014/15 wraparound European Tour schedule.

Danny Willett warming up on the Golf Club of Houston range.

“I really didn’t know what to expect driving up to the front gates on Sunday given I had never been to Augusta before,” he said.

“And while thrilled to be going to my first Masters the great thing was that I am pleased I got that ‘woh’ factor of driving down Magnolia Lane for a first out of the way last Sunday.

“I also had a good look around the clubhouse and other buildings, and naturally the course itself, so that when I go back there next Monday I will hand done all my preparations with regards the yardage book and the not be overawed by the occasion.

“So I can just try and treat it like another tournament because it would be easy to drive up there on Monday for a first time and treat it like something it is not.

“It’s going to be an amazing experience for everyone who’s going to be there but when it all boils down I am going to the Masters to compete and treat it like a normal week.”

Willett indicated he has organised to play a practice round with fellow ISM stablemates Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke ahead of Thursday’s tee off.

Danny Willett under the watchful eye of his swing coach and caddy.

“Having been up there for a full 18 on Sunday I am only going to play two nines and then the Par 3 Contest.

“I’ve managed to pick up a few tips about playing the course like how certain holes will play if it’s windy and other tendencies like how the ball might be affected around the boat house on Rae’s Creek that I got last Sunday from the local caddies.

“So they were a few little nuggets I picked up but then in playing Augusta for a first time on Sunday it probably was playing a bit slower and softer than what it will be like late next week.”

Willett is also making his debut in this week’s $US 6.6m Shell Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston course in America’s fourth largest city.

“I got here on Sunday night from Augusta and played a pro-am on Monday, and it’s a great golf course and in fantastic nick,” he said.

“And from what I’ve seen of the course, and the greens, it should be an ideal warm-up for next week.

“So while I am excited about my first Masters I also have a job this week and I will be focussing hard on doing well this week as the main goal is to try and win this week.”

In fact, Willett made his regular PGA Tour debut just last month in sharing 20th place in the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.