Luke Donald wins PGA, becomes world No.1

Tuesday, 31 May 2011 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Luke Donald claimed the world No.1 ranking as well as the European PGA Championship title in a dramatic play-off against fellow Englishman Lee Westwood on Sunday.

Tied in the lead at six-under par, the pair replayed the par 5 18th at Wentworth where Westwood put his approach shot into the water.

Donald was safely on the green in three and when Westwood failed to hole his chip from the drop zone he surrendered the title and his top spot in the rankings.

It’s the first time Donald has headed the rankings and he’s the third Englishman to do so after Nick Faldo and Westwood.

His fifth win on the European Tour made up for the disappointment of finishing runner-up to Simon Khan in the Tour’s flagship event last year.

Donald was ecstatic at reaching top spot in the world.

“It is something that you dream about but you never know if you are going to get there,” said Donald, who fired a closing 70 to Westwood’s 68.

“It took a lot of hard work, a lot of sweat and tears, a lot of belief and a lot of failure. But I am sure Lee will be battling hard to get it back.

“This is the flagship event and with the four major champions here and everybody from the Ryder Cup (here) it is very special.”

It was a bitter pill for Westwood to swallow after his best round of the week. At one point he was two clear of the field.

Westwood felt he had blown a chance to win the title.

“It shouldn’t have gone to a play-off,” Westwood said.

“I had a good chance at 17. The finish was a bit iffy with a three putt on the 16th and I had chances to birdie the last two but I didn’t take them.”