Luke Donald enters U.S. Open as atypical world No. 1

By Associated Press

BETHESDA, Md. — Luke Donald isn’t the typical No. 1 player in the world.

He got there not by winning a lot of tournaments but by consistently placing in the top 10. His victory last month at the BMW PGA Championship in his native England was only his second stroke-play win in the last five years.

And he’s proof you don’t have to be a long hitter to take over the top spot. Donald plays a precision game that relies on accuracy and putting.

Donald is seeking his first win in a major this week at the U.S. Open.

Asked about Donald’s rise to No. 1, defending champion Graeme McDowell says “it’s refreshing to see that the game is not being outpowered.”