Luke Donald tied for the 14th position in first round of Northern Trust Open
Luke Donald teed off his first PGA Tour (Professional Golf Association) event, finishing tied on the 14th position in the first round of the Northern Trust Open on Thursday.
The 34-year-old Englishman scored a 1-under par and 70 strokes in total. He was able to deliver only two birdies and a bogey.
The PGA Tour Player of the Year was a bit troubled by strong windy conditions, at the Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades in California.
The speed of the wind was recorded by 35 miles per hour. The tough windy conditions affected the World No. 1 and he was unable to hit any good strokes throughout the day.
“This morning it was freezing and blowing a gale, it was not easy,” Donald said “This course is tough with benign conditions, so with the added wind the greens are fast. I’m pretty pleased with what I did. The only thing that I struggled a little bit with
was the pace on the greens”.
However, performing well in such troubling conditions is impressive. Donald was satisfied at the end of the day and was happy to see his name in the top 15 on the leaderboard.
The Northern Trust Open is the season opening tournament for the British player. He had appeared in other continent to play the tournaments of the European Tour. Now, he is back to the US.
Donald was unable to make the cut last year, at Northern Trust Open, by scoring 68 and 79.
However, his current performance, at Riviera Country Club, is better than his previous show. He is controlling the ball impressively and also covering large driving distance.
“I’m excited about my ball-striking and the way I’m controlling the flight,” Donald said. “I’m moving it both ways and feel like I’m driving the ball pretty solidly”.
His confidence level is at its peak, as he achieved all the respected titles of 2011 from PGA and European Tour both. He is happy for being competitive at PGA-staged tournament.
“I’m happy with the work that I’ve done in the off-season, it seems to be paying off”.
Donald is doing well on the course. He is the biggest rival for all the other players in the field.
He will be teeing off the second round on Friday, February 17, and is expected to make the cut easily by making a string of birdies and eagles.
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