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Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Donald regain the number one ranking
Two weeks after losing the first set to Rory McIlroy, Donald fired a 66 and then birdied 18 to win the tie-break.
Ernie Els led in the final stages, but bogeyed the last two holes.
Very first day leader Padraig Harrington, who began with a career best 61, finished 20th equal to the winner of the week Justin Rose was tied for 29.
In the first match in the 12 year history of the tournament, Jim Furyk, Bae Sang-Moon and Robert Garrigus lined up alongside English Donald and four men began playing the 18th in the course of Copperhead at Innisbrook.
Donald is gross to the right with his drive on the long par four, but his second shot with an iron cleared the front bunker by a narrow margin and rolled within six feet of the flag.
From much closer in the middle of the street, Garrigus also was close with his tone but its resulting left seven-foot putt drifted and Donald holed on the left edge of the victory.
"I was much more nervous first time," said Donald, who became the first number one in the world in May last year. "It wasn't my interest this week, I was only trying to win the tournament."
"It is another step in the right direction to get more confidence to try to win races."
"I now have two weeks but it is perfect preparation for Augusta [Masters]".
Donald began the outlines of last day three adrift but emerged back in contention with a typically composed of round bogey-free.
He launched into a walk in the ninth to begin a run of three successive birdies and lost an opportunity to 12 feet for birdie in 14 that would have given a part of the initiative.
In the next group Els, which has fallen to 68 in the world ranking and you need to return to the top 50 to qualify for his master 19th successive, lost an almost identical putt to the absolute leadership.
The former world number one will have to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational starting on Thursday or the Houston open from March 29 to reach teachers.
The 43-year-old who is nearing two years without a win in the United States, had also been three strokes behind the leaders overnight, but was soon ahead and then fired an excellent approach in the 16th century, only to lose under five-foot chance for a lead of two shots.
After a wait in the 17TH tee hit he/she shot with a mid iron to bogey in the par three for the third time this week, leaving six tied for the lead at 13 bass.
Then, after missing the green with his second in the last threw a putt of nervous from the inside pair of three feet wide of the Cup.
That left the door open for Furyk and Bae Korea in the South, both of which would have had the title with birdies on 18.
But both closed with pars and when they, along with Garrigus, joined Donald to play the final hole, won the English.
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Thursday, 14 July 2011
Donald yearns for the victory in the open
Number one in the world, winner of the British open on Sunday, found conditions blustery continued tough during Tuesday practice in Sandwich.
Donald, 33, said the player who would "codify best" improvise this week can walk with the Claret Jug.
"I believe that this is part of what is obtained when it comes to golf links, really don't know what you are going to get".
Donald, who shot a European tour lowest round of 63 during the Scottish open, said that Royal St George in the would be a tough and unpredictable test.
And although he said each player's most prestigious golf courses in the world this year was a "good success", in a major tournament victory completed a childhood dream.
"I've always wanted to win a major since turned pro," said Donald, "even before that when I was growing up and seeing some of my idols."
"Really does not change whether I'm ranked number one or number 100."
Also looking for his first major victory this weekend is English colleague Lee Westwood.
The age of 38, deposed as number one in the world by Donald may, has posted six top-three finishes in his last 13 major tournaments.
And despite having been able to win one, it is in confident mood before the opening.
Westwood said: "my way is correct when I want to [and] means everything, really, to win the open."
"I've been playing well recently and had a good stretch of results." "The form is pretty good, I am happy with all aspects of my game".
Westwood, who has fond memories of Royal St George's have there won as an amateur in 1992, is considered one of the favourites for the tournament despite finishing only 14 at the Scottish open.
And he certainly does not subscribe to the notion that is getting too old to break their duck in major tournaments.
The golfer of Worksop insisted: "I think it depends on how fit you keep and how mentally for are."
Woods left 'gap' in U.S. - Watson golf"You have that you you are still". "I think that it is the main thing."
Westwood is expecting the current links will play to their strengths, saying: "I like the course." Strategically this is a good golf course. You must plan your way around it. It is not always the driver of each t-shirt, which is quite pleasant.
"Don't play [courses links] long now, maybe three times a year." [But] it is more than, say, American golfers or people playing on the PGA Tour would be playing it. They probably play only once.
"No doubt grow played me great golf links." We played much the boys tournaments and English fans, and our national winter, played on the golf links.
"If it is brought up in this style of golf it stays with you, the ability to play."
Open from the airBBC Radio 5 live will have a preview special programme in 1900 BST on Wednesday.
See open preview of BBC Sport on BBC Two and online at 2320 BST on Wednesday.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Donald and Manassero share lead
Donald struck with a double bogey at the sixth after him carving deep in the forest.
Luke Donald and Matteo Manassero will take a two shot lead at the end of the round of the Championship of the PGA at Wentworth on Sunday.
The couple carded very different rounds of 72 to put an end to an absorbing day linked to the five low.
World number one Lee Westwood (69) and Fabrizio Zanotti (69) are ready in second, with the dredging of Bradley, Simon Dyson and Raphael Jacquelin two low.
Donald fell five shots in his first six holes, but he fought back tenaciously.
With the number three global Martin Kaymer in four more and unlikely to finish in the first two, the 33-year-old Donald only need finish above Westwood to exceed it in the ranking.
But Donald, who said that "Invincible" in shooting seemed to him 64 on Thursday, was soon in trouble as his round threatened to unravel.
It began its downward spiral in the second short when you astillas through the Green and then saw the a back roll off on the other side on the way to a double bogey.
Fell another shot after a bunker in the third, he escaped with 'only' a few after finding trees again in the fourth time and accumulated a double bogey after him carving deep in the forest in the sixth.
But the English in United States held his nerve to four straight pairs before starting their way with birdies days 11 and 12.
Donald revival gathered pace with another birdie at 16 to return a part of the initiative and drains a long birdie on 17 to tie again with Manassero. Despite another unit in 18, Donald rescued par five trees to book a place in the last group with Italian young on Sunday.
"I need to figure out how I can keep it short and keep it away from the trees", said Donald. "I felt like Seve [Ballesteros], I was in trees with leaves everything on my back." I was dropping balls in the high grass and escape from everywhere and I do not think that it can be done two days in a row.
But he added: "I am very proud, it was a great support in the fight." It would have been easy for me to shoot out of the tournament. Certainly not I felt nervous, I only felt a little anxious because I don't have enough control that I would have liked. I kept persevering and try things and get that first birdie were important to the right of the nave. "It is not nice but I am with a great opportunity."
Manassero, already a two time winner after only turning pro last year, had three bogeys and two birdies on the way out and then came home with nine straight pairs.
"I played well." Was probably the most difficult day today, "said Manassero, who finished tied for 13 in the 2009 open as an amateur from 16 years of age."
"I enjoy courses as well when they play signature and when not to record so low that you can get shots make pars and save pairs." We must fight and I think I did well. It is a special event and is great to be in this position. "It is something to dream."
Westwood also preparing in contention after Donald to the end by eight shots after the first.
"I am overcoming my way there and this is the kind of golf course where you have to do it," he said. "It's a tough race." It has the feeling of a major championship where you have to hang up, trying to not make too many mistakes. I've been here outside very well now and I know how to get into the correct position. "
Asked if losing the number one place is a matter of concern, he said: "not at all." "I'm trying to win the PGA Championship".
Donald playing partner and leading co of second round than Quiros also had an adventurous day, accumulating a seven on the ninth of triple bogey and a triple-bogey eight on 17 a record to a 76 and slide back to nominal level.
The lowest round of the day belonged to Rory McIlroy, who birdied 16 and 17, but gambled to get to the 18th green in two and fell a shot at the last to finish with a 68 for one more.
Paul Casey and Ernie Els, who on Friday were involved in a dispute over redesigns of course of the South African, they were paired for the third round and both carded 72 at the end two more.
Donald relieved to survive he/she roundCasey, the 2009 PGA champion, had been added to the criticisms of Ian Poulter and described the new design - supervised by Els in 2010 and adjusted again to this year - as a "routine".
But asked after his round Saturday if the atmosphere with Els had been ice, English said that it is really the vision of Els.
And Els added: "I feel comfortable with the changes." I'm there 98%. May 15, the right front side is a bit too severe. But the boys must play now. This is no longer easy. It is a change of mentality. It is a better way, a test best. "The margin of error is obtained an important."
Both agreed that the structure of the course by tournament officials made too much criminal in windy conditions this week, but Westwood said later: "if it is a great tournament, which is as it is." You do not have birdie every hole and go to each indicator. Sometimes it is a good score. "I have no problem with flags hard".
Colin Montgomerie was level par 71 to remain two on, Ian Poulter was 73 for two envelope and Darren Clarke had a 8 and a seven on a 74 end also end with two on.
Germany Hansen, the defender of the USPGA champion, slipped later of for more than a 72 led to four more.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Donald in three draw Wentworth
Luke Donald is linked at the top of the classification after the second PGA Championship round at Wentworth.
Overnight leader carded for more than a 72 to finish with six bass and joined the Spanish teen Alvaro Quiros and Italian Matteo Manassero (70).
English teammate David Horsey (68), Jose Manuel Lara of Spain, (70) and Thomas Aiken of South Africa (67) were fourth in four bass.
Simon Dyson England (68) is three entering the weekend.
Number one of the world that Lee Westwood shot 69 to upload one as he seeks to defend his ranking by finishing above Donald. German Martin Kaymer, who could also take over the place this week, three finished on.
On a day when Ian Poulter criticized the course to be too difficult after the changes of the past year, the world number two Donald could match his impressive opening 64 despite more favourable weather conditions.
But the 33-year-old English is pleased to grind their way home on one bass of the 11 after making three bogeys and a birdie in his first 10 holes.
"It's definitely harder, that the pins were more difficult to achieve," said Donald, who has finished in the top 10 of their last eight tournaments and won the WGC Match Play in February.
Wentworth course frustrates Poulter"I do not have the same control and not expected to go out and play like yesterday." It is very difficult to replicate. But it was a bit disappointing that not take advantage of some of the opportunities that I had some of my bogeys were a bit weak. "
Poulter, who double bogeyed the last end with a 74 at the global level, said that the course alterations had taken off the fun in the course.
But Donald answered: "made it very difficult, but if you come with this mindset, knowing it will be difficult, it does not have any been".
Champion of the US Open of Ireland of the North, Graeme McDowell, had to wait until the end of the afternoon to discover whether he had made it through the third round at five over, but the cut fell in four. Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (+ 8) and winner of the Masters Charl Schwartzel (+ 12) also lost.
Rory McIlroy survived with nothing to spare, thanks to a birdie at the last.
Quiros finished with three straight birdies, including a chip on the 17th, to carry himself in a part of the initiative, while Manassero picked up a shot in the final to make it a leading trio.
"Hit me some very bad shots from the tee, but at the same time he holed two or three long putts," said Quiros.
"I've been playing very safe, considering that the bad weather and the Greens very hard and fast." "It is a good strategy and probably me is giving bonds without hitting the ball great."
Spanish Quiros shines in the PGAManassero, already a two-time winner after turning pro last year, said: "I'm happy, especially because I've not played as well as in the past but still shot under par, which is important on a course like this."
"I have not never took such a big event so it will be good fun and a great experience for me."
A large number of the field wore Navy Blue in honor of the late Seve Ballesteros and Manassero added: "I think that we can recall every day." He was a genius. "It remains in my heart and was my Idol and he always inspires me."
Darren Clarke (72) is the water in the last end one bass with 2009 USPGA champion YE Yang (70), while that Ernie Els (68) and Paul Casey (71) finished one more.
Colin Montgomerie opened with three bogeys and added another in the ninth to dive to a 75 and shelter to two on after an encouraging 69 of the first round, as Rory McIlroy finished four envelope after a round of 70.
Justin Rose, England piled up a nine on 17 to finish with a 73 for six more.