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No player has ever won the money titles on both sides of the Atlantic in the same season, and that goal has brought Luke Donald back to St. Andrews directly after the Tour Championship.
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Leading the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic, top-ranked Luke Donald is eyeing another big payday at the Dunhill Links Championship.
The 33-year-old Englishman returns to the European Tour after completing his PGA Tour schedule in the United States by finishing tied for third at the Tour Championship and earning $418,667.
It’s another impressive display in what has been a stellar year for Donald, who has topped the world rankings since May and won four titles in 2011 -- including the Scottish Open at the Castle Stuart links course in July.
Donald is attempting to become the first player to win the money titles in Europe and the United States in the same season. Asked about his motivation, Donald said: "The fact that no one has ever done it. You're always trying to achieve things that no-one has ever done. It would be pretty special.
"It's not easy playing both tours, you spread yourself a bit thinly,” he added. “You have to play well at the right events, the big events. I've picked off a couple of good events and it would mean a lot to top both money lists.
As things stand, Donald has no plans to play in any of the four remaining PGA Tour Fall Series events, concentrating instead on this week's Dunhill Links Championship and next week's defense of his Madrid Masters title before taking time off.
But he concedes he could be tempted to compete in the final event, the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Disney World on Oct. 20-23, if Webb Simpson overtakes him on the PGA Tour money list in the interim.
Simpson has yet to confirm if he will play any more events, but if he did contest the penultimate event at Sea Island or the final one at Disney, he would need to finish around 20th to overtake Donald.
"Webb might think about playing another event because I think winning the money list comes with a five-year tour exemption and he was struggling to keep his card last year,” Donald said.
"I'd have to weigh up the pros and cons. I might be better served to rest. I'm not sure Webb is playing an event; he might be tempted and I might be,” he said. “I could play Disney, take my daughter (Elle, who was born last year) to Disney World, but we'll cross that bridge when it comes to it. A lot is dictated by my wife Diane being due in six weeks (with their second child)."
While Donald's lead in Europe looks extremely healthy, two of his nearest challengers have certainly not given up hope of catching their Ryder Cup teammate.
McIlroy is embarking on a 12-week road trip that includes tournaments in Korea, China, Dubai, Thailand and Bermuda, while Westwood is favorite to win his second Dunhill Links title this week.
"I think Luke being here tells you he doesn't think he's out of sight," said Westwood, who topped the money list in 2000 and 2009 and is fourth in the current standings. "He's playing here and Madrid next week.
"He obviously thinks that the guys around him are good enough to win the rest of the events that he's playing,” he explained. “I feel like I can win here, China and Dubai and that will surely give me enough money to go past him."
"Luke's playing very, very consistently," said McIlroy, who has finished third in his last two European Tour events. "He seems like every time he tees it up he finishes in the top five, and if he does that he's going to be very difficult to beat.
"But that's the goal at the end of the season. I feel like if I can concentrate on just trying to win tournaments, then the Race to Dubai will take care of itself,” he added. “But I want to try to get closer to Luke and put a bit of pressure on him with a couple of events to go.
"I want to get a win before the end of the season. I feel as if I'm playing well enough. If I can keep getting myself in contention and giving myself chances, I'll hopefully put my foot through the door and get another win."
A winner’s prize of $800,000 is on the line this week with five of the top six players, including defending champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, in the field at Dunhill Links. The tournament is played over three of Scotland’s best courses -- the Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
Along with McIlroy and Westwood, the field includes U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy, Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, British Open winner Darren Clarke, along with major winners Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington and Louis Oosthuizen.
The leading American at the event is fifth-ranked Dustin Johnson, who will have a new caddie this week after Joe LaCava’s decision to take over Tiger Woods’ bag as a permanent replacement for Steve Williams.
Famous as a pro-am event that attracts Hollywood celebrities and sports stars -- among the big names this year are actors Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia, Netherlands soccer great Johan Cruyff and former Australia cricketer Shane Warne -- the Dunhill Links also has European Ryder Cup points at stake.
“To have a good friend in your group and always around you while you play on three wonderful golf courses, it is probably the best week of the year on the European Tour,” said Kaymer, whose father will be his playing partner and brother will caddie.
Kaymer and second-ranked Lee Westwood -- who have both been ranked No. 1 in 2011 -- have each won only one tournament this year. Donald has proved a relentless front-runner in the rankings in the past four months.
Apart from Woods, the last player to have as big a lead at the top of the rankings was Greg Norman in May 1996.
Donald’s consistent game has few flaws. His straight, punchy drives can eliminate the wind and a deftness around the greens makes him well-suited to links golf. He proved it by winning a rain-curtailed Scottish Open at 19 under in just three rounds.
However, he flopped at the British Open a week later, missing the cut and failing to break his drought in majors.
Westwood, also without a major title, is hoping for a change in fortune on the greens as he tries to turn a string of top-10 finishes into wins.
“It’s frustrating when I’m giving myself so many chances and not really walking off with the scores I think I should’ve done,” said Westwood, who won the Ballantine’s Championship in South Korea in April. “I haven’t really had what I consider a good putting round all year. Tee to green, I’m very consistent.”
Garrett DowningBaltimoreRavens.com Staff Writer
