Luke Donald Back on Top of Golf World

Special to ARMCHAIR GOLF

Luke Donald (Allison)

LUKE DONALD ONCE AGAIN ESTABLISHED HIMSELF as world No. 1 golfer after winning the 58th BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in Surrey, England. Having lost his world No. 1 rank to Rory McIlroy earlier this month, Donald now enters into his 46th week as the best player in the world. He shot 15-under par over the four rounds, winning by four shots over Paul Lawrie and Justin Rose. Taking home prize money of €750,000, Donald becomes only the third player to successfully defend the championship after Sir Nick Faldo (1980 and 1981) and Colin Montgomerie (1998, 1999, and 2000).

Lawrie and David Drysdale led after the first round, both scoring 6-under par. Eventual winner Donald was back in tied eighth on 4-under par but climbed up to tied second by the end of the second day. Englishman James Morrison was the clubhouse leader at the end of day two as he shot the round of the tournament, firing a 64. He made six birdies before sinking a 30-foot putt for an eagle on the 18th hole. However, Morrison’s efforts were in vain as his stunning second round was cancelled out by a lowly 81 in the following day’s play.

The cut was set at 2-over par, and notable absentees for the third day included McIlroy and 2011 British Open winner Darren Clarke. McIlroy shot a 74 and a 79 on the par-72 course to end 9-over par, three weeks before his US Open title defence. Clarke fared a little better, scoring a 71 and 77 therefore missing the cut by two shots.

Donald carded a solid 69 on the third day, and as others faded it left him alone at the top of the leaderboard. Justin Rose ended the day two shots behind and Lawrie was four shots adrift.

Donald was paired with Rose for the final round and was briefly caught by Rose four holes in, but Donald birdied holes 6, 7 and 10 to gain a three-shot lead. The gap then increased to five at the 16th when Donald made another birdie, while Rose bogeyed after hitting into a bunker. Donald finished on 15-under par whilst Rose and Lawrie were tied for second on 11-under par.

Donald, who made a total of one eagle, 20 birdies and seven bogeys over the four days, said, “I got the job done and I take a great amount of satisfaction. These victories are key to bringing that confidence into the majors.”

(Brought to you by Direct Golf UK, which recently ran a competition offering the golf opportunity of a lifetime. Entrants had a chance to play golf with BMW PGA Championship winner and world No. 1 Luke Donald.)