Luke Donald has enjoyed a scintillating last 12 months and he his dreaming of claiming his maiden Major win at next week’s British Open.
The 33-year-old has been a model of consistency and that has taken him to the top of the world rankings, leading a British 1-2-3 of himself, Lee Westwood and recent US Open champion Rory McIlroy.
Most of the attention at the British Open is likely to centre on those three, especially considering Tiger Woods has pulled out of the tournament, and Donald has already played practise rounds at Royal St Georges as part of his preparations. Those looking at the British Open odds will be keeping a close eye on his preparations.
Wins at the WGC-Accenture World Match Play Championship and BMW PGA Championship have shown Donald’s quality, but there remain question marks over how his game will suit the bumpy, windy conditions that are a norm at the British Open.
The Englishman claims his preparation heading into the 2011 British Open has “really helped” his chances of taking victory and he is now feeling “more comfortable in links golf” compared to other years. The British Open promotions still suggest he could struggle though.
Even though his game is improving, Donald is concerned the weather could have a massive effect on the winning score at Royal St Georges, given his recent experience of playing the course.
“The course was in great shape and I think it will be one of those Opens where the weather decides the score rather than the course setup,” he said.
US Open champion McIlroy has taken a three-week break from golf and will return at the British Open, but Colin Montgomerie has criticised the Northern Irishman’s decision.
The former Ryder Cup captain reckons he could struggle mentally to cope with the attention on and off the course when he returns to competitive golf for the first time since Congressional at the British Open.