Donald stuns Kaymer, ends drought in US
Source: Agencies |
March 1, 2011, Tuesday
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RELIEF seemed to ooze out of every pore of Luke Donald's face as he spoke to the golfing media on Sunday after ending a US PGA Tour title drought of five years.
The Briton had just won the biggest tournament of his career, a 3&2 victory over German Martin Kaymer earning him the prestigious Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona.
"It certainly bothered me," Donald said of his long wait for a third US PGA Tour career victory. "My goal every year is to win tournaments. It's a long time since I've tried to play for money, you know. My first couple of years, maybe, as a rookie, you think about making your Tour card and making cuts and making enough money to play the next year. But it's been a long time since that."
Donald had not triumphed on the United States circuit since the 2006 Honda Classic, although he recorded seven top-10 finishes to end the 2010 season seventh on the money list with earnings of US$3.66 million.
"I solely focus on trying to win tournaments," said the Englishman, who rose to a career-high third in the world rankings yesterday.
"I felt like I hadn't won my fair share for as good a player as I felt I was and could be. It was frustrating to me. Winning in Europe took a little bit off but obviously it was a little bit of a smaller event, not a field like this."
Donald claimed the third European Tour victory of his career at last year's Madrid Masters.
For Kaymer, who took over from Britain's Lee Westwood as world No. 1 yesterday, Donald's consistency and short game mark him out as a player to command the highest respect.
"He's definitely one of the most consistent players on the Tour and I think he's probably the best in the world in the short game at the moment," the German said.
Donald spoiled Kaymer's rise to No. 1 by winning with a performance so dominant he never played the 18th hole all week.
On a bizarre final day in the high desert, which began with snow covering the fairways, Donald pulled ahead for good with a birdie on the par-5 11th and a par on the next hole, eventually closing out Kaymer on No. 16 for a 3&2 victory.
In what was a week like no other in the 13-year history of the Accenture Match Play Championship, Donald played only 89 holes in six matches and never trailed in any of them. In fact, he led after 81 of those holes.
Donald won his first World Golf Championship, and became the second player from England to capture the Match Play Championship, following Ian Poulter last year.
Matt Kuchar defeated Bubba Watson in the consolation match and rose to No. 10 in the world.
The Briton had just won the biggest tournament of his career, a 3&2 victory over German Martin Kaymer earning him the prestigious Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona.
"It certainly bothered me," Donald said of his long wait for a third US PGA Tour career victory. "My goal every year is to win tournaments. It's a long time since I've tried to play for money, you know. My first couple of years, maybe, as a rookie, you think about making your Tour card and making cuts and making enough money to play the next year. But it's been a long time since that."
Donald had not triumphed on the United States circuit since the 2006 Honda Classic, although he recorded seven top-10 finishes to end the 2010 season seventh on the money list with earnings of US$3.66 million.
"I solely focus on trying to win tournaments," said the Englishman, who rose to a career-high third in the world rankings yesterday.
"I felt like I hadn't won my fair share for as good a player as I felt I was and could be. It was frustrating to me. Winning in Europe took a little bit off but obviously it was a little bit of a smaller event, not a field like this."
Donald claimed the third European Tour victory of his career at last year's Madrid Masters.
For Kaymer, who took over from Britain's Lee Westwood as world No. 1 yesterday, Donald's consistency and short game mark him out as a player to command the highest respect.
"He's definitely one of the most consistent players on the Tour and I think he's probably the best in the world in the short game at the moment," the German said.
Donald spoiled Kaymer's rise to No. 1 by winning with a performance so dominant he never played the 18th hole all week.
On a bizarre final day in the high desert, which began with snow covering the fairways, Donald pulled ahead for good with a birdie on the par-5 11th and a par on the next hole, eventually closing out Kaymer on No. 16 for a 3&2 victory.
In what was a week like no other in the 13-year history of the Accenture Match Play Championship, Donald played only 89 holes in six matches and never trailed in any of them. In fact, he led after 81 of those holes.
Donald won his first World Golf Championship, and became the second player from England to capture the Match Play Championship, following Ian Poulter last year.
Matt Kuchar defeated Bubba Watson in the consolation match and rose to No. 10 in the world.
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