Luke Donald lost this latest chance at No. 1, but he is confident he will get another opportunity.
Donald fell in a three-hole playoff at The Heritage after Brandt Snedeker closed with a surprising 7-under 64. Donald could have jumped up from No. 3, surpassing previously top-ranked Martin Kaymer and fellow Englishman and Ryder Cup partner, Lee Westwood, at No. 2. Instead, Westwood takes over the top spot after winning the Indonesian Masters earlier on Sunday.
“To be No. 1 would’ve been great, but it’s not everything,” Donald said. “It certainly would be a tick in the box and it would be something great to talk to the grandkids in 30 years time and say that you were the best in the world, but I still have a lot of chances to do that.”
Photo: AFP
Donald appeared on his way to the top after back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth holes pushed him to 13-under par and alone in front. However, bogeys on the seventh and 10th holes dropped him back and he couldn’t get back to that level the rest of the round.
It took stellar par saves on the 71st and 72nd holes simply to remain tied with Snedeker and force the playoff. The pair matched birdies and pars on the first two extra holes, and Snedeker secured the win with a two-putt par when Donald could not save par one last time from a bunker in front of the closing lighthouse hole, No. 18.
Snedeker, who played Donald at college level, has deep respect for the Match Play Championship winner’s ability. When it ended, Snedeker counseled Donald to keep his chin up.
“I just told him he’s going to be No. 1. Sorry it didn’t go the right way for him,” Snedeker said.
Donald couldn’t match Snedeker when it counted most at Harbour Town Golf Links. Donald played the first 36 holes in 10 under to take the lead. He closed 70-70, giving Snedeker the opening.
“It’s a storybook ending really, to be playing Luke in a playoff, to even have a chance to win was exciting to me,” he said.
Donald was the steadiest player most of the week at Harbour Town. He caught Snedeker with a birdie on No. 13, then parred his way in for the playoff.
“It was going to be some big rewards if I won today, but I’ll try and find the positives from this week and move on,” Donald said.
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