Donald’s golf double looking doubtful

Monday, 24 October 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Luke Donald’s pursuit of golf history was stalled on Saturday as he remained five off the pace set by Justin Leonard and Kevin Chappell in the US PGA Tour’s Disney World event.

Donald, the world No.1 from England, started the event seeking to become the first player to win both the US and European tour money titles in the same season.

He came in trailing American Webb Simpson in the US standings, and his third-round 70 - which included a double-bogey at the par-five 14th - gave Simpson even more breathing room.

At the top of the leaderboard in the US tour’s last official tournament of the year, Leonard chipped in three times to salvage a 70 for 14-under par 202 after three rounds.

He was joined by tour rookie Chappell, who fired a steady 66.

They were one shot in front of 21-year-old South Korean Bi-o Kim, who can secure his PGA Tour card for next year if he finishes no worse than a two-way tie for second.

Nick O’Hern is the best placed Australian, one shot behind Kim after carding a 70.

Donald’s duel with Simpson for the US money title was the main focus of the week, with the Englishman coming into the event trailing Simpson by $363,029.

“We’re both trying to play our best and see if we can win the golf tournament,” said Simpson, a two-time winner on the tour this season.

“There’s been a little added pressure but I think we’ve both handled it OK.”