Luke Donald’s success at the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic last year - memorable moments
Luke Donald had the year of his life last year. The Englishman was not only the most successful player on the European tour but also on the PGA Tour.
For the first time in the history it happened that a player was leading the tour money list on both tours.
Donald was by far the best player in 2011. By the end of the season, he not only led both the money tour lists, but also won two tournaments on the PGA Tour. His success at the PGA tour was phenomenal, considering the fact that he is a European.
Donald also won twice on the European Tour but probably his most memorable win of the season came on the PGA Tour, when he won the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic.
It was the last tournament on the PGA tour for him and he needed to win this to top the money earned list on the PGA tour.
However, not only did he win the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, but he won it with splendid style.
World number one back then, Donald opened the tournament with a blistering display of flawless golf. He shot a magnificent round of six-under 66, which clearly stated his intent right from the start.
It was a see-saw battle on the top of leaderboard after that. However, things really heated up on Sunday.
Before the start of final round, Donald was thirteen places behind the overnight leader, Justin Leonard but the Englishman was in the mood to spoil the party for Leonard.
Donald opened up with two birdies right on the first two holes. However, two bogeys and two birdies on 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th hole really made things interesting.
When Luke turned to start the back nine, he was two shots behind Webb Simpson and it seemed that luck was not on the Englishman’s side.
However, the Englishman was determined to make his own fortunes and the moment he started on the back nine, he shifted gears. After that, it was Donald all the way.
Luke shot six straight birdies on the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th, followed by three pars on the last three holes to make sure that he wins the tournament with no hiccups.
Shooting six straight birdies on the back nine, under so much pressure, was really something special.
The moment of the match came when the Englishman nailed in a 45 foot putt on the par-3 15th to seal the title. Shooting an eight-under 64, in the last round was really something special.
After the victory, Donald said that it was probably the most satisfying win of his career.
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