England’s Luke Donald claimed the PGA Championship and the world number one ranking after a dramatic play-off against Lee Westwood at Wentworth on Sunday. Tied at six-under par, the pair re-played the 18th – a par-5 – where Westwood put his approach shot into the water surrendering the title and his top spot in the rankings.
Donald was safely on the green in three and when Westwood failed to hole his chip from dropping zone he handed his rival the title. This is the first time Donald has headed the rankings. He is the third Englishman to do so after Nick Faldo and Westwood and this was his fifth win on the European Tour.
It also made up for the disappointment of finishing runner-up to Simon Khan in this – the Tour’s flagship event – last year. But it was a bitter pill for Westwood to swallow after his last round 68 – his best score of the week and at one point he was two clear of the field. Donald was ecstatic at reaching the top spot in the world.
“It is something that you dream about but you never know if you are going to get there – but I got there,” he said.
“It took a lot of hard work, a lot of sweat and tears, a lot of belief and a lot of failure. But I am sure Lee will be battling hard to get it back.
“But winning is always top of the list. It is a great honour and a great achievement to get to number one but it is the wins that get you there.
