Monday, May 28, 2012

Luke Donald triumphs again at Wentworth

Luke Donald conjured a perfect déjà vu moment at Wentworth Club as he successfully defended the BMW PGA Championship to once again become the best player in the world. Having triumphed in a play-off against Lee Westwood over the West Course 12 months ago, Donald was once again unbeatable in The European Tour’s flagship event as he overcame another of his compatriots, Justin Rose, and Scotland’s Paul Lawrie to become only the third man in history, after Sir Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie, to defend the title. Rose made an electrifying start to his final round in front of record crowds at Wentworth to pull level with Donald after four holes before the World Number One proved himself exactly that by putting his foot on the accelerator and driving into an unassailable lead. Donald eventually completed a four stroke victory over Lawrie and Rose, to pick up the first prize of €750,000, with an accomplished closing 68 and 15 under par total of 273. Rose, joint second with Lawrie, had the consolation of moving to the top of the Race to Dubai with season’s earnings of €1,695,687.  His seventh European Tour International Schedule victory in his 109th European Tour event. Moves to €1,021,669 in The Race to Dubai. Has now won more than €1 million in a single European Tour season for the sixth time in his career. Moves back to Number One in the Official World Golf Ranking. This is the start of his fourth stint at World Number One. Moves to Number One for the second consecutive year as a result of his performance at the BMW PGAChampionship.Makes a successful defence of his BMW PGA Championship title, just the third player to win in back-to-back years following Sir Nick Faldo (1980-1981) and Colin Montgomerie (1998-2000). This marks the first time in his professional career he has successfully defended a professional title. The second player on The European Tour in 2012 to successfully defend a European Tour title, following Louis Oosthuizen (2011-2012 Africa Open). Becomes the fourth different Englishman to win multiple titles in this event. He follows: Sir Nick Faldo (1978, 1980, 1981 and 1989), Peter Alliss (1957, 1962 and 1965) and Tony Jacklin (1972 and 1982). Becomes the ninth different player to win multiple titles in the event. He follows: Sir Nick Faldo (1978, 1980, 1981 and 1989), Peter Alliss (1957, 1962 and 1965), Bernhard Langer (1987, 1993 and 1995), Colin Montgomerie (1998, 1999 and 2000), Tony Jacklin (1972 and 1982), Seve Ballesteros (1983 and 1991), Ian Woosnam (1988 and 1997) and Anders Hansen (2002 and 2007). The fourth consecutive English victory in the BMW PGA Championship. This follows Paul Casey (2009), Simon Khan (2010) and Donald (2011). His fourth European Tour International Schedule victory in his last 18 appearances on The European Tour, dating back to the start of 2011. Has now won for three consecutive seasons on The European Tour.His third European Tour International Schedule victory on European soil from his last five appearances, dating back to the 2011 BMW PGA Championship. Also won the Barclays Scottish Open in July 2011.Since the start of the 2011 European Tour season he has won €6,345,069 from 18 European Tour events, at an average of €352,503 per event. Since the start of the 2011 European Tour season, he has amassed 12 top ten finishes from his 18 European Tour events. Becomes the 34th different player to successfully defend a European Tour title. The 29th English victory in the Championship, dating back to the first event in 1955. The 274th English victory in European Tour history. Moves to €1,459,696 in The European Ryder Cup Points Table. Becomes the third English winner on The European Tour in 2012. They are: Robert Rock (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship) and Justin Rose (WGC – Cadillac Championship) and Luke Donald (BMW PGA Championship). His 13th victory worldwide as a professional. Moves over €14 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.

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