Luke Donald wins Match Play Championship
Luke Donald had only 2 wins around the world in the last five years, so not many would have given him a snowball’s chance in Arizona of winning the Match Play Championship in Marana, Ariz.
Turns out be he was more unbeatable than anyone in the 13-year history of the tournament.
When he polished off Martin Kaymer on the 16th hole Sunday, Donald became the first player to go an entire week without trailing in any match. He played only 89 holes in six matches, another record, and led after 81 of them. And he was so dominant he became the first player to win any golf tournament without ever playing the 18th hole.
Ultimately, all that mattered to the Northwestern product was simply winning.
“To come here and beat the top 63 players in the world is very gratifying,” Donald said after his 3-and-2 victory. “It’s been an amazing week. I had a lot of good things happen — made a bunch of birdies, never trailed in a match. Kind of one of those weeks where a lot of things went my way.”
On a bizarre day in the high desert, which began with snow covering the fairways and featured a 10-minute delay when sleet coated the fourth fairway, Donald spoiled Kaymer’s rise to No. 1 in the world with a victory that was a long time coming.
It had been five years since he last won on American soil. A year ago, Donald had 10 finishes in the top three with only one trophy to show for it, against a weak field at the Madrid Masters. But with a flawless short game that stacks up to anyone at the moment, Donald picked up his first World Golf Championship and moved to a career-best No. 3 in the world.
“My goal every year is to win,” said Donald, who made 32 birdies this week. “It’s a long time since I’ve tried to play for money. I felt like I hadn’t won my fair share for as good a player as I felt I was and could be.”
The consolation prize for Kaymer was going to No. 1, which he assured by reaching the championship match. The 26-year-old German becomes only the 14th player to reach the top.
The match was all square going to the back nine when Donald made a marvelous up-and-down from the waste area short of the 10th green to avoid falling behind for the first time all week. He won the next two holes, and Kaymer couldn’t catch him.
Matt Kuchar defeated Bubba Watson in the consolation match and will go to No. 10 in the world.
Mayakoba Golf Classic:
Johnson Wagner fired a 4-under 67 and beat Spencer Levin with a par on the first hole of a playoff in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Champions Tour player John Cook shot a 66 to finish third at 14 under.
HSBC Women’s Champions:
Australia’s Karrie Webb used 4 straight birdies on the back nine to surge past Japan’s Chie Arimura for a 1-shot victory in Singapore.
The 36-year-old Webb finished with a 3-under 69 for a 13-under 275 for her 37th career LPGA tour win.