Englishman insists that getting back to top of the Official World Golf Rankings is not a goal of his right now
By Michael McEwan
LukeDonald has admitted that returning to the top of the world rankings is not one of his immediate goals.
The 38-year-old, a winner of five PGA Tour titles, spent 56 weeks as the No.1 golfer in the world between May 2011 and August 2012 but, at the time of this edition of English Club Golfer going to print, he was ranked 71st.
There have been some signs this year that the former BMW PGA champion might be recovering some of his top form, particularly following a second place finish at the RBC Heritage. However, he insists that he is setting modest goals as he bids to climb back up the rankings.
“Is it a goal of mine to get back to No.1? I wouldn’t say so,” he told reporters recently. “I’m not in a position really to challenge for that right now. I certainly feel like I can work my way back towards that quite a bit but my goals really are just to continue to play solid, get myself back in the top 50, hopefully win some events again, and get back and compete in majors and having chances to win.”
PROUD
Only five players have been No.1 on the Official World Golf Rankings for longer than Donald. Having been top of the pile, he says, is something that will always think of fondly.
“It’s something I’m always very proud of, being No.1 for 56 weeks in total,” he said. “I enjoyed the limelight. I enjoyed the attention. I enjoyed playing well during that time.”
Donald added that missing this year’s Masters Tournament - the first time since 2004 that he’d sat out the opening major of the season - has made him even more determined to rediscover his best form.
“It’s been a tough couple of years for me,” he admitted. “I haven’t been playing as well as I would like. I certainly feel like my game isn’t very far away but the results haven’t matched what I think I’m capable of.
“I feel like I’ve got a few good years ahead of me. I don’t want to be sitting at home watching the majors on TV yet.”
Read the latest issue of UK Club Golfer online
