Before 2011, Luke Donald might have been known for a few things, but being clutch wasn't one of them. He had critics say he didn't really care about winning, and that being a consistently good golfer was good enough for the former Northwestern star. He has underachieved in the majors and never really had the year most had hoped for when they first set eyes on that incredible golf swing.
But no more of that talk on Donald. None. The guy is legit, and he proved just how impressive he can be during the final PGA Tour event of the season. Donald wasn't scheduled to play at Disney, but being so close to the money title this season, he decided to sign up and play in hopes of catching Webb Simpson. And after three rounds, that goal seemed out the window. Not only was Luke trailing Webb in the money list, but he was trailing him in the actual tournament down in Florida.
That was until Sunday, when Donald shot a final round 64 that included six straight birdies to start his final nine holes of 2011, enough to give the 33-year-old his second win on the PGA Tour this season but more importantly, that precious money title that he had left in search of.
Why is this important? Because Donald is finally going out and winning the tournaments he must win. If he didn't play like he did on Sunday, he would have had a nice week, and a really great year, but he still wouldn't have been where he wanted to be. That win, and that run on Sunday, gave him the goals he had set out for, and that has to be nice for a guy that has always seemed to answer questions about his motivation.
But the thing is, the money list on the PGA Tour is just one step for Donald. His eyes are now set on the Race to Dubai, the European Tour's version of the money list title. If Donald can win both this season, he'd make history, and in doing so, prove that he really is the best in the world.
Right now he has one piece of the pie. Don't be surprised if he comes home with the other.
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