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Donald banking on world domination
World No.1 Luke Donald has chance to become first player ever to win the Money List in Europe and the States.
By Paul Mahoney
The World No.1 is in New Jersey for The Barclays Championship and that, in case you've just returned from an extended caving vacation, is Luke Donald not Tiger Woods.
Woods hasn't even qualified for the opening tournament of the Fed Ex Cup but the event at Plainfield Country Club is still a sell out proving that there is indeed life after the artist formerly known as the World No.1.
Englishman and Chicago resident Donald knows that he doesn't draw a crowd like Tiger but he still receives his now customary chorus of "Luuuuuke" from US golf fans. The New Jersey crowd may have to concentrate this week so as not to yell "Bruuuuuce" like they do for local hero Bruce Springsteen. "It's cool to have your own chant but I know a lot of the attention is on some of the other players," Donald said. "I don't feel like the attention on me has really changed tremendously and I accept that. I'm not a personality that attracts a lot of attention. I still think the American fans love to follow the likes of Phil (Mickelson) and Tiger, and that probably won't change."
Donald is in a unique position. He has the opportunity to become the first ever player to win the Money List on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour. "Certainly it's a motivating factor," he said. "I've been working very hard the past week. It's nice to have certain things to chase after and focus on. It makes everything a little bit more meaningful. I'm obviously in a position where I have a great chance. I have a pretty good lead over in Europe, and obviously I'm going to have to play well the next few events."
Donald has a healthy lead on each side of the Atlantic. In Europe he has banked $5.4 million and is $2.4 million ahead of the chasing pack led by Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and US Open champion Rory McIlroy, neither of whom are playing at The Barclays. In the States he has banked $4.5 million, more than $1 million ahead of Nick Watney, KJ Choi and Steve Stricker, all of whom will be hoping to close the gap at The Barclays and beyond. As David Feherty said recently: "Luke is a walking ATM machine."
Donald has had a remarkable breakthrough season. He won the WGC-Accenture Match Play at Tucson, Arizona and then rose to World No.1 by beating Lee Westwood in a playoff at the BMW PGA Championship, the flagship event in Europe. He then added the Barclays Scottish Open title to his resume and 10 further top 10s.
Donald is currently fourth in the FedEx Cup points standings and on a mission towards world domination starting at The Barclays. But, as ever with Donald, it's a softly-softly plan of attack and it's not all about the money. "I'm not so much concerned with the Money List. I'm more concerned with winning The Race to Dubai and the FedExCup," he said. "Winning trophies rather than the title of being leading money winner is much more important to me. I like to play against the best players on both tours. I think it elevates my game."
What would elevate his game even more would be to win that elusive major championship next year. He feels the pressure that a World No.1 should also be a major winner. "I missed a couple of opportunities to win," he said. He finished fourth at the Masters and 8th at the PGA this year. "People think of Tiger Woods when they think of No.1 and what he achieved. As much as I believe there are no limits to what I can achieve, I'm pretty realistic knowing that age 33, that it's going to be hard for me to accomplish what Tiger has done in his career. I've got my own agenda, and I'm working towards winning as much as I can. And winning majors."
Plainfield Country Club is an old-fashioned course and Donald is an old-fashioned golfer. What are the chances of seeing his name writ large on the leaderboard come Sunday at The Barclays? You can bank on it.
