Luke sitting on top of the world again

Luke Donald is back on top of the world again.

And the Englishman achieved top spot in grand style following his dramatic victory in the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook, Florida, yesterday.

He returned to No. 1 in the world the same way he got there first time round by rallying from a three-shot last round deficit and emerging triumphant in a play-off – Donald wona four-man playoff on the first extra hole with a shot out of the rough to 6 feet and a birdie putt that curled in the left side of the cup.

It was so-near-so-far for South African Ernie Els who was among eight players who were tied for the lead at some point in the final round, and in fact had a one-shot lead going into the closing stretch known as the ‘Snake Pit’ at the Copperhead course.

The Big Easy missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the 16th, and then badly missed a 4-foot par putt on the 18th that caused him to miss the playoff by one shot. He probably now has to win in the next two weeks to avoid missing the Masters for the first time since 1993.

Donald ended Rory McIlroy’s two-week stay at the summit of the world rankings.

He first reached No. 1 by winning a playoff over Lee Westwood at Wentworth last May. However, this required more work as Donald had to beat Jim Furyk, Robert Garrigus and Bae Sang-Moon in a sudden death shoot-out.

Donald reckons he benefits from being able to go under the radar unlike the likes of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods who are constantly in the public eye. Said Donald: “I still think Rory and, obviously, Tiger will be getting a lot of the attention.

“There probably is an advantage to me. I can kind of go about my business and not have to deal with as much as those two are dealing with.”
McIlroy wasted no time sending his congratulations through Twitter, saying:
“Well I enjoyed it while it lasted! Congrats LukeDonald. Impressive performance!”