Luke Donald
Donald in April 2011 at The Heritage
Personal information
Full name	Luke Campbell Donald
Born	(1977-12-07) 7 December 1977 (age 34) Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	161 lb (73 kg; 11.5 st)
Nationality	England
Residence	Northfield, Illinois; High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire; Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Spouse	Diane Antonopoulos (m. 2007)
Children	Elle (b. 2010) Sophia (b. 2011)
Career
College	Northwestern University
Turned professional	2001
Current tour(s)	PGA Tour (joined 2001) European Tour (joined 2003)
Professional wins	13
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour	5
European Tour	7
Other	2
Best results in Major Championships
Masters Tournament	T3: 2005
U.S. Open	T12: 2006
The Open Championship	T5: 2009
PGA Championship	T3: 2006
Achievements and awards
Fred Haskins Award	1999
PGA Tour leading money winner	2011
Vardon Trophy	2011
Byron Nelson Award	2011
PGA Player of the Year	2011
PGA Tour Player of the Year	2011
European Tour Race to Dubai winner	2011
European Tour Golfer of the Year	2011

Luke Campbell Donald (born 7 December 1977) is an English professional golfer who is the current World Number One. He plays mainly on the U.S. based PGA Tour but is also a member of the European Tour. Donald had an outstanding year in 2011, winning several tournaments and awards. He won the PGA Tour money list and European Race to Dubai to complete a historic double. He is the only player to ever win both money lists on the PGA and European Tours in the same year.^[1] He was named the PGA Player of the Year and PGA Tour Player of the Year, becoming the first Englishman to win either award. He was also named the European Tour Golfer of the Year. He also became the first Englishman to win the PGA Tour's Vardon Trophy and the first golfer other than Tiger Woods to win the Mark H. McCormack Award for the most weeks at number one during a calendar year. In May 2012, Donald was awarded honorary life membership of the European Tour for his achievements in 2011.

In May 2011 Donald became the number one golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking after winning the BMW PGA Championship. He held the number one position for 40 weeks between May 2011 and March 2012 before being briefly dethroned on 4 March 2012 by Rory McIlroy. Two weeks later, Donald regained the number one ranking with his victory at the Transitions Championship on 18 March 2012. McIlroy regained the top ranking on 15 April 2012, only for Donald to claim the top ranking for a third spell on 29 April 2012. He lost the top spot again the following week after McIlroy's runner-up finish at the Wells Fargo Championship. Donald regained the world number one ranking with his victory at the BMW PGA Championship on 27 May 2012. He has spent over 100 weeks in the top-10.^[2]

Early life[link]

Although his father was from Stranraer in southwest Scotland,^[3] Luke Donald was born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. He has described himself as "half Scottish".^[3] Luke Donald and his brother Christian played junior golf at Hazlemere and Beaconsfield Golf Clubs. Christian caddied for Luke. Luke was the club champion of Beaconsfield twice, winning the championship first at the age of 15. He attended the Rudolf Steiner School in Kings Langley and later the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe.^{[citation needed]}

Early career[link]

Coming from England, he joined College Prospects of America, a service also employed by golfer Martin Laird, which created a résumé for him and sent it to all the major colleges and universities in the United States. Several coaches responded, including Wally Goodwin at Stanford University. Goodwin recruited Donald to join his golf squad, but Donald was not admitted to the university.^[4]

Donald subsequently took a golf scholarship at Northwestern University in 1997, where he studied art theory and practice, and became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. His golf coach at Northwestern University was Pat Goss.^[5] He won the individual NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships men's title in 1999, beating the scoring record formerly held by Tiger Woods.^{[citation needed]}

Professional career[link]

Donald turned professional in 2001. The following year he won the rain-shortened Southern Farm Bureau Classic – becoming only the 11th rookie in PGA Tour history to earn more than $1 million in his first season.^[6]

In 2004 he won the Omega European Masters and the Scandinavian Masters on the European Tour. In the same year he was a member of the victorious European Ryder Cup team and also won the WGC-World Cup for England in partnership with Paul Casey. By early 2005 he was in the top twenty of the Official World Golf Ranking and his win in the 2006 Honda Classic moved him into the top ten for the first time. Soon afterwards he moved up to ninth and in January 2007 he moved up to seventh in the world.

Donald, along with Tom Watson, was one of two players to play with Jack Nicklaus in the final two rounds of golf in his career, at the 2005 Open Championship at Old Course at St Andrews.^[7]

Donald won his singles match, 2&1 against Chad Campbell in the 36th Ryder Cup to help ensure Europe win the trophy for a third successive time. Donald took part in three matches and won them all. He also won in the foursomes twice, with Sergio García.

Donald has amassed career earnings on the PGA Tour of over $17,000,000, as well as over €7,000,000 on the European Tour.^[8] In May 2010, Donald won the Madrid Masters by one shot for his first title in four years.^[9] In October 2010, Donald was a member of the European team that won the 2010 Ryder Cup with a one point win over the USA.^[10]

2011: WGC-Accenture Match Play win[link]

Donald's biggest win to date came in February 2011 at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship when he defeated the German and subsequent world number one Martin Kaymer 3&2 in the final. During the final, Donald built a three-up lead over the first five holes, however Kaymer pegged him back and won three of the next four holes meaning the match was all square entering the back nine. Donald was able to regain his lead with two successive wins at holes 11 and 12, then followed that up with a birdie on hole 15 to re-build his three-up lead with three holes to play. Both players then parred the par three 16th ensuring Donald's first World Golf Championship title and biggest victory of his career.^[11]

Donald had been in exceptional form all week and held an unprecedented record of having never trailed at any point during the week. He started the tournament off in fine fashion with thumping 6&5 win over American Charley Hoffman. The second round was much more competitive and his toughest test all week when he faced fellow Ryder Cup team mate Edoardo Molinari. It was a tight match that went down to the 17th, when Donald would win the hole with a birdie to seal a 2&1 victory. His third round opponent was another Italian, this time the young 17 year old Matteo Manassero, however Donald effectively won this by the time the pair reached the 10th hole with a five-up lead. The Italian fought back on the back nine winning two holes off Donald but it was all in vain as Manaserro went down 3&2. In the quarter final on Saturday, he faced American Ryan Moore and Donald again found himself five-up at the 10th hole, but this time finishing it off at the 14th with a 5&4 victory. Later that Saturday his semi final opponent was another United States player in Matt Kuchar, but Donald was in scintillating form, crushing Kuchar 6&5, having found himself seven-up through the first 10 holes.^[12]

It was indeed Donald's form on the front nine all week that took him to this title, as apart from the final when Kaymer clawed it back, Donald was able to build unassailable leads on route to victory. As a result of this tournament win, Donald climbed to his highest ever World Ranking position of World Number Three.

Continued 2011 season form and World No.1[link]

Donald continued his early season form at The Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links when he held the lead going into final round with Jim Furyk. With the pressure of knowing that he would become the new world number 1 he shot a 70 one under round to finish tied with American Brandt Snedeker who fired a quite brilliant 64 seven under par round. In the playoff, both players birdied and then parred the first two extra holes, however at the third extra hole Donald made bogey when his chip ran narrowly passed the outside edge of the hole giving Snedeker the win with a par.^[13]

Donald continued his excellent match play form in May reaching the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship which he eventually lost 2&1 to fellow Englishman Ian Poulter. He knew that had he had won this tournament he would have gone to world number one for the first time in his career. Donald had previously beaten Ross Fisher, Charl Schwartzel and Martin Kaymer to reach the final, however he could not go on to add the Volvo World Match Play title to his WGC-Accenture Match Play title he won earlier in the year.^[14] This defeat ended Donald's run of 14 consecutive match play wins.

In May 2011, Donald's run of form continued when he beat Lee Westwood in a playoff to win the European Tour's flagship event the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club. This was Donald's fifth victory on the European Tour and in the process achieving one of the games highest accolades of becoming the world number one. Westwood had entered the tournament as the number one and the end of tournament playoff provided a subplot of world numbers one and two contesting for the championship. On the first playoff hole, the par five 18th, after both laying up with their second shots, Donald played a majestic pitch to leave himself no more than six feet for birdie. Westwood attempted to follow him in but got too much backspin on his approach and it spun back into the water hazard. Westwood eventually chipped out from the drop zone and made double bogey leaving Donald to hole out for birdie winning the title and becoming the new world number one.^[15] Donald is only the 15th player ever to hold the world number one position and only the third Englishman to achieve this feat

In July 2011 Donald won his first tournament as the world number one at the Barclays Scottish Open, which was held the week before the 2011 Open Championship. He shot a bogey free −9 on Sunday to finish four strokes clear of Sweden's Fredrik Andersson Hed.^[16] The tournament however, was badly affected by heavy rain in the Inverness area, with the course becoming flooded, washing out all of Saturday's play. The decision was made to reduce the tournament to 54 holes as many of the players required Monday as a preparation day ahead of The Open Championship.

Donald finished second at the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, four shots behind winner Adam Scott. He won his fourth title of the year at the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic in October 2011.^[17] With the win, he secured the PGA Tour money list title, the Vardon Trophy, the Byron Nelson Award, and the PGA Player of the Year. He later was voted the PGA Tour Player of the Year.

In December, Donald secured the European Tour Race to Dubai for 2011, becoming the first golfer to officially claim top rank on both PGA Tour and European Tour money lists in the same year (although if Tiger Woods had ever taken up official membership of the European Tour, he would have also achieved this accolade on a number of occasions).

2012: Tussle with McIlroy for No.1 ranking[link]

At the first WGC event of the year, the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Donald in defence of his title he won in 2011, was eliminated in the opening round by South African Ernie Els who beat him 5&4. He was in danger of being knocked off the top of the world rankings as both Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood progressed to the semi-finals, either would have taken over the top spot by winning the tournament. However, neither could win the title and Donald kept his number one status. However, he did lose his status the following week, after electing not to play at The Honda Classic, McIlroy won the tournament and also took Donald's spot atop the rankings. Two weeks later, Donald won the Transitions Championship to reclaim the number one ranking from McIlroy. This was his fifth victory on the PGA Tour and came after a solid week's play culminating in a four-man playoff with Robert Garrigus, Bae Sang-moon and Jim Furyk. Donald had earlier shot a bogey-free round of 66 including 5 birdies in his first 11 holes to make the playoff. After a loose tee shot found the rough, Donald hit a brilliant seven iron approach to within six feet on the 18th, the first extra hole. Garrigus also knocked his close, while Furyk and Bae left themselves lengthy birdie putts. There had only been 5 birdies all day in regulation play on the 18th and when Furyk, Bae and Garrigus all missed their putts, Donald brushed his in for the victory and the number one ranking.^[18]

On 15 April 2012, Donald lost the number one ranking to McIlroy when he failed to finish inside the top 8 at the RBC Heritage. This cut short his second term as the world's number one player, ending after a four week spell. Donald finished third at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans two weeks later to once again reclaim the number one ranking. This took Donald to an accumulative total of 45 weeks at Number One which is sixth in the all time standings, one week ahead of Nick Price. He lost the number spot the following week after McIlroy's runner-up finish at the Wells Fargo Championship. On 23 May 2012, Donald was awarded honorary life membership of the European Tour in recognition of his achievements in the 2011 season.^[19] In the same week, Donald retained his title at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on 27 May 2012, with a four stroke victory over Justin Rose and Paul Lawrie. He shot all four rounds in the 60s, including a final round 68 with five birdies and only one bogey to claim victory. He became only the third player to successfully defend the European Tour's flagship event, alongside Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie. The victory was Donald's seventh title on the European Tour and resulted in a return to World Number One for the fourth time.^[20]

Sponsorship[link]

Luke Donald signed with sports management company IMG in 2003. He has a multi-year contract with Mizuno Corp. As part of this sponsorship Luke plays with Mizuno Fairway Woods, Irons and Wedges. Luke also carries a Mizuno Bag, Headcovers and Umbrella. Luke also wears his trademark Mizuno visor as part of his sponsorship. It has been reported that he receives $1 million just for wearing his Mizuno visor, and this could quadruple if he wins a major event such as the Masters.^[21][22] Donald also has a sponsorship deal with Footjoy, who supply his personal shoes and tour sponsorships with Royal Bank of Canada as well as Zurich Insurance.

Polo Ralph Lauren announced, in February 2007, that Luke Donald has signed a new multi-year contract with the luxury apparel company. Luke will continue to serve as a brand ambassador for Polo Ralph Lauren worldwide for the RLX Golf range. With this exclusive sponsorship, Luke will continue to wear clothing from the RLX collection and will be featured in its advertising campaign. Polo Ralph Lauren has been the exclusive apparel sponsor of Donald since 2002.

Personal life[link]

Donald met his future wife, Chicago native Diane Antonopoulos, while attending Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.^[23] He proposed in June 2006, and the couple married on 24 June 2007 in Santorini, Greece.^[24][25] They have two daughters. The couple own homes in Northfield, Illinois^[26] and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.^[27]

Donald studied art theory and practice in college, and enjoys painting and drawing when not on tour. In 2002, one of his oil paintings was auctioned by the PGA Tour for charity.^[28][29] Donald and his wife are also avid collectors of contemporary art.^[30]

Donald's father, Colin Donald, died on 8 November 2011,^[31] just 3 days before the birth of his son's second daughter, Sophia Ann, on 11 November 2011.^[32]

Amateur wins (3)[link]

this list may be incomplete

• 1999 NCAA Division I Championship
• 2000 Northeast Amateur
• 2001 Northeast Amateur

Professional wins (13)[link]

PGA Tour wins (5)[link]

No.	Date	Tournament	Winning score	To par	Margin of victory	Runner(s)-up
1	2 Nov 2002	Southern Farm Bureau Classic*	66-67-68=201	–15	1 stroke	Deane Pappas
2	12 Mar 2006	Honda Classic	72-67-68-69=276	–12	2 strokes	Geoff Ogilvy
3	27 Feb 2011	WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship	3 and 2			Martin Kaymer
4	23 Oct 2011	Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic	66-71-70-64=271	–17	2 strokes	Justin Leonard
5	18 Mar 2012	Transitions Championship	67-68-70-66=271	–13	Playoff	Bae Sang-moon, Jim Furyk, Robert Garrigus

* Note: The 2002 Southern Farm Bureau Classic was reduced to 54 holes due to adverse weather conditions.

PGA Tour playoff record (1–2)

No.	Year	Tournament	Opponent(s)	Result
1	2004	Buick Invitational	John Daly, Chris Riley	Daly won with birdie on first extra hole
2	2011	The Heritage	Brandt Snedeker	Lost to par on third extra hole
3	2012	Transitions Championship	Bae Sang-moon, Jim Furyk, Robert Garrigus	Won with birdie on first extra hole

European Tour wins (7)[link]

No.	Date	Tournament	Winning score	To par	Margin of victory	Runner(s)-up
1	1 Aug 2004	Scandinavian Masters by Carlsberg	69-65-69-69=272	–16	5 strokes	Peter Hanson
2	5 Sep 2004	Omega European Masters	67-67-65-66=265	–19	5 strokes	Miguel Ángel Jiménez
3	30 May 2010	Madrid Masters	65-67-68-67=267	–21	1 stroke	Rhys Davies
4	27 Feb 2011	WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship	3 and 2			Martin Kaymer
5	29 May 2011	BMW PGA Championship	64-72-72-70=278	–6	Playoff	Lee Westwood
6	10 Jul 2011	Barclays Scottish Open*	67-67-63=197	–19	4 strokes	Fredrik Andersson Hed
7	27 May 2012	BMW PGA Championship	68-68-69-68=273	–15	4 strokes	Paul Lawrie, Justin Rose

* Note: The 2011 Barclays Scottish Open was reduced to 54 holes due to flooding of the course.

European Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.	Year	Tournament	Opponent	Result
1	2011	BMW PGA Championship	Lee Westwood	Won with birdie on first extra hole

Other wins (2)[link]

• 2005 Target World Challenge (Unofficial money-list event)
• 2007 Gary Player Invitational (with Sally Little)

Results in major championships[link]

DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
CUT = Missed the cut
"T" = Tied
Yellow background for top-10.

Summary[link]

• Tournaments played: 38
• Wins: 0
• Top 10s: 6
• Top 25s: 12
• Missed cuts: 11
• Most consecutive cuts made: 10

World Golf Championships[link]

Wins (1)[link]

Year	Championship	54 Holes	Winning Score	Margin of Victory	Runner-up
2011	WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship	n/a	3 & 2	n/a	Martin Kaymer

Results timeline[link]

DNP = Did not play
QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = tied
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.
Note that the HSBC Champions did not become a WGC event until 2009.

Career earnings by year[link]

*As of 27 May 2012.
†Non-member earnings.

Equipment[link]

• Driver – TaylorMade RBZ Tour 9° | Accra Golf Pride New Decade Multicompound Blue Grip
• 3-Wood – Taylormade RBZ 15° | Golf Pride New Decade Multicompound Blue Grip
• Hybrid – Mizuno CLK Fli-Hi 17° | Aldila NV 85 X shaft | Golf Pride New Decade Multicompound Blue Grip
• Irons – Mizuno MP-59
• Wedges – Mizuno MP T-11 54° and 60° | True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shafts | Golf Pride New Decade Multicompound Blue Grip
• Putter – Odyssey White Hot XG 2.0 #7 | Black Series Grip
• Ball – Titleist Pro V1x
• Ball Mark – A dot between the Titleist script and the number (color varies)
• Glove – Mizuno Skintite Tour Glove
• Bag – Mizuno Tour Staff Bag

Team appearances[link]

Amateur

• Walker Cup (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1999 (winners), 2001 (winners)
• Eisenhower Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1998 (winners), 2000
• St Andrews Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1998, 2000 (winners)
• Jacques Léglise Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1995 (winners)

Professional

• Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 2004 (winners), 2006 (winners), 2010 (winners)
• WGC-World Cup (representing England): 2004 (winners), 2005

See also[link]

• 2001 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates
• List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Luke Donald

• Luke Donald at the PGA Tour official site
• Luke Donald at the European Tour official site
• Luke Donald at the Official World Golf Ranking official site
• Luke Donald's diary
• Luke Donald Fan Site