World leader Luke Donald voted golfer of the month

Jun 7 2012 By Yann Tear

Golf

LUKE Donald has been named The Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for May.

It following his successful defence of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club and his return to number one in the Official World Golf Ranking.

The South Bucks golfer, who receives an engraved dish and a champagne, was praised by the panel - comprising members of the Association of Golf Writers, as well as commentators from radio and television - for his powerful performance which will mean he tees up in the US Open next week at the start of his 49th week in total as world number one.

The 34 year old Englishman, winner of The 2011 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year award, emulated Sir Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie by completing his back-to-back win in the BMW PGA Championship and claimed the Tour’s flagship event by being the only player to shoot four sub-70 scores.

His rounds of 68-68-69-68 for a 15 under par total of 273 earned him the title by four shots from Paul Lawrie and Justin Rose.

Following his win in a Championship watched by almost 100,000 spectators, Donald said: “The BMW PGA Championship is our biggest event on The European Tour and the number of people who came this week to support me and the tournament speaks volumes. To come here and defend and get back to number one is very sweet indeed.”

Bill Elliott, Chairman of the Association of Golf Writers, said: "Luke Donald’s successful defence of the BMW PGA Championship was a stunning display of considered, gritty and nerveless golf played across one of the most testing courses anywhere in the world.”

Donald follows Branden Grace (January), Paul Lawrie (February), Rory McIlroy (March) and Louis Oosthuizen (April) in this year winning a Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month Award and all five will join subsequent recipients in being considered for The 2012 Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Year Award.