Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
DOB: 07/12/1977 |
Luke Donald is one of Europe’s finest golfers and is well known for his text book swing path, rhythm and excellent temperament.
Before going to University in America he did not know much about the recruitment system that is in place there. As a result he joined Collage Prospects of America who sent his résumé to the top Universities who would get back to him if they were interested. One university that responded to his résumé was Stanford. The only thing that Donald knew about this was that Tiger Woods went there. He finally settled on a golf scholarship at Northwest University where he was coached by Pat Goss, who has remained his only coach since. Luke won the individual NCAA men’s title in 1999, beating the scoring record of Tiger Woods in the process.
Before turning professional in 2001 an outstanding amateur career saw him take part in Great Britain and Ireland’s Walker Cup victories over the United States in 1999 and 2001. Since then he has divided his time between the European and US Tours. In 2002 he became only the 11th rookie in PGA Tour history to earn more than $1million in their first season after he won the rain-shortened Southern Farm Bureau Classic. He next won on the European Tour in 2004 winning both the Omega European Masters and Scandinavian Masters and was also a member of the winning Ryder Cup in 2004. At the 2005 British Open, along with Tom Watson, Luke was honored to play with Jack Nicklaus in the final 2 rounds of his golfing career.
After meeting his wife while at university in Chicago Luke likes to keep family close to his golf game with his brother being caddie for a number of years. His love of art is well documented and while his house is decorated in a collection of contemporary pieces, one of Luke’s own creation was auctioned off on the PGA Tour website and raised over $1500 of charity.
Injury hit Luke’s 2008 season hard. After picking up a wrist injury in The US Open back in June, Luke is aiming to make his return to competition at Tiger’s own event in December. Despite only playing half a season Luke has still managed to amass almost $1,500,000 in prize money, help by a 2nd place finish at the Honda Classic in February. Luke was particularly disappointed that the injury would force him out of the Ryder Cup. "While there is never a good time for an injury, the timing of this injury was especially disappointing for me considering that it forced me to miss the Open Championship and it comes in a Ryder Cup year," said Donald. |
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4-7 October - Alfred Dunhill Links Championship - St Andrews (Old Course), Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.Battling Nick Dougherty shoots 71 to hold on for a famous victory. Irish youngster Rory McIlroy hit a sparkling 68 to finish third. Aussie student Robert Coe & Scott Strange win Team Championship. |
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| | In Luke Donald's bag... | | 3 good opening rounds saw Luke go into the final inside the top-10 and with the potential to go on and improve on this impressive start. However a 73 in the final round saw him slip down the loader board into a tie for 23rd. Where shall we start. Clearly a fantastic looking set that is only enhanced by the fantastic photograph. Clearly visible is the array of club from Mizuno, who Donald is leading Tour player for. He tees off with a Mizuno MP 600 driver. Mostly know for his outstanding iron play, Luke achieves this consistency with a set of Mizuno MP-32 irons. His wedges are Mizuno MP R Series. He completes his set with a Mizuno Bettinardi putter.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). | | | | |
12-15 July - The Barclays Scottish Open - Loch Lomond.As the curtain raiser to the Open Championship the following week at Carnoustie, the Barclays Scottish Open attracted some of the biggest names in the world – Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Luke Donald and others all made the trip. It wasn’t, however, one of the big names who walked away with the £50,000 first prize – but a virtually unknown Frenchman - Gregory Havret - who holed a tricky 5-footer on the first extra hole to beat world no 3 Phil Mickelson in a play-off. The title also earned Havret the last remaining spot at the Open. |
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| | In Luke Donald's bag... | In Luke Donald's bag at Loch Lomond we can see his Mizuno MP-32 irons. We believe the headcovers hide a Mizuno Fli-Hi CLK utility wood and the headcover of a Mizuno Bettinardi C-03 can been seen on the right of the bag.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). | |
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