Playoff Victory - Donald Becomes Golf's New No - 1 With Playoff Win

By Rob Murray, AP Sports Writer

Posted

VIRGINIA WATER, England Luke Donald won a duel to get No. 1 using a playoff victory more than fellow-Englishman Lee Westwood.

Westwood joined the BMW PGA Championship during No. 1, however it has been Donald's solution taken about No. 18 the first playoff target that can send your ex boyfriend for the prime if the new world of golf men's tour are introduced Monday.

While Donald's tactic stumbled some paws in the problem Sunday, Westwood provided his chance suitable drinking water hazard in the competition during Wentworth. And just as that, Donald appeared to be a champion plus No. just one from the world.

"Sounds pretty good, isn't going to it?" enquired Donald, whom ties Westwood along with Nick Faldo when the only Englishmen to hold this No. 1 spot given that search positions have been released in 1986. "It's a brilliant accomplishment. It's something I shall be very satisfied with when I appearance back. I will relish this particular moment, it really is extremely special. I think I will stay in identical person, I anticipation I do."

The win was merely the next with cerebrovascular event engage in pertaining to Donald in the past five years. He won that Madrid Masters on the European Tour past year. In February, he / she defeat a top domain around winning the Match Play Championships throughout Marana, Ariz.

"I'm getting excited about the process connected with keeping No. 1," Donald said. "I recognize Lee and Martin (Kaymer) will always be seeking myself incredibly hard."

Having trailed co-leaders Matteo Manassero along with Donald by way of a couple shots coming into the particular ultimate round, Westwood shot some sort of 3-under 68. Donald shot 70 and each concluded from 6-under 278.

Simon Dyson with England (69) finished third from 280, together with Marcus Fraser associated with Australia, Raphael Jacquelin with France in addition to Shane Lowry of Ireland one more shot again together with 281s.

Donald overlooked two previous probability to develop into No. 1, sacrificing for you to Ian Poulter within the World Match Play ultimate yesterday in Spain plus plummeting to help Brandt Snedeker in the playoff with The Heritage in April.

But his persistence with a finish from the top rated twelve for the past nine competitions made certain their first playoff triumph with often your European as well as PGA Tour give your ex the actual No. 1 ranking.

Donald claimed Westwood's water-bound technique inside the playoff was additional harmful beginners luck than inadequate execution.

"It was not a negative shot, only possessed a bit more an excess of spin on it. It appeared to be only unfortunate, that you do not love to view that," Donald said. "Lee is really a champion and also has been a excellent No. one particular for European golf."

After rounds associated with 72 plus 72, Donald commenced the end day time by going bogey-bogey, visibly blanching once duffing his computer chip for the par-3 No. 2 from just simply journey green.

Manassaero double-bogeyed No. 3 soon after seeking a pair of photographs to reach the eco-friendly from a great adjacent bunker. Donald birdied our next hole in order to pull even.

Westwood, however, built a number of birdies in nine pockets once a new bogey on No. three to help sit on top in the leaderboard.

Another birdie within the difficult No. fifteen natural was granted by one of many shots in the tournament. Having skipped that fairway along with his / her taxi driver and getting a free drop, Westwood created a 7-iron with bring that folded within several feet belonging to the hole, that putt moving your ex boyfriend not one but two shots ahead of Donald.

That steer evaporated at No. 16.

Westwood three-putted after acquiring decreased their tavern in his or her stick to through from the tee. Donald, from the subsequent group, ended up their approach in just a ft . belonging to the problem plus the top a couple competitors on the planet were possibly again.

Down the particular stretch, Donald as well as Westwood compounded the particular substandard with the sublime.

Donald's birdie putt lipped available on No. seventeen after your excellent rescue shot from an solution that struck a tree. He landed their tee shot into the bunker at No. 18, soon soon after Westwood experienced routed his 5-wood on the gallery.

Both gamers designed par plus going to come back to be able to No. 18 regarding that playoff that might bring about a brand new No. 1.