Luke Donald bags yet another accolade, the Mark H McCormack Award
Adding another feather in his already blistering cap, world number one Luke Donald was bestowed with yet another award, the Mark H McCormack Award.
The award, which was only conferred for the second time since 1998, is given to the player who stays on top of the Official World Gold Rankings (OWGR) for the longest period of time in the year.
European Ryder Cup Director Richard Hills presented the award to the Englishman in a star-studded gathering.
Donald surged to the top of the OWGR in the middle of the previous year, after he took over the then World number one, Lee Westwood, in the BMW PGA Championship on a Playoff hole.
He successfully managed to maintain his status quo for the rest of the year.
It all started with the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Arizona last year, where Donald, known for his penchant for the Match Play format, took the better off the field to start off a trailblazing year of his career.
He returns to his favourite hunting ground this week and has good memories of his stunning success last year.
Donald said, "I have a lot of great memories here from last year and I gained a lot of confidence from my win and how I went about winning it. I’m excited to be back. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of match play."
He went on, "I’ve enjoyed the fact that it’s helpful to be consistent, to not lose holes carelessly. For whatever reason the format seems to suit my game, and hopefully I can have another good week".
Top-four players on the OWGR will be present at this week’s Accenture Match Play event, all of whom have been to the top at least once in their careers, with the exception of Rory McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman has a strong chance of making it to the top this week, in case he lifts the title and Donald fails in one or two of the opening events.
Also present in the field, is the world number four Martin Kaymer, who finished runner-up last year, when he was defeated by Donald in the final round.
Although battered and bruised by the stunning failure at Abu Dhabi earlier in the month, Kaymer is still hoping to bag the title amid tough contenders.
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