Donald and Chapman reap deserved glory in great week for Brits
A GREAT week or so for Brits saw Luke Donald reclaim world No1 status by defending his PGA Championship title at Wentworth and a pair of legends add more feathers to their caps.
Donald played immaculately to win by four shots and become only the third man to win the trophy in consecutive years. The Englishman’s finish to the third round was exceptional, with three birdies on the back nine, and he showed true class to pull away from Justin Rose and Paul Lawrie on Sunday.
It’s a year since he first climbed to world No1 and the fact he’s been there or thereabouts for 12 months is testament to his outstanding level of performance every week. His success in underlining his status as one of the very best over the last year will have made him more confident as he looks to take the natural next step: winning a Major.
Great credit must also go to his compatriot Rose, who put in a brilliant performance, and Scot Lawrie, who tied with him for second and looks to have secured a Ryder Cup place with the latest high point of a comeback season.
Rory McIlroy will be less happy, after missing the cut for a second tournament in a row. Right now when he has a bad week it’s pretty awful. It’s not the US Open build-up he’d want, but there is nothing he can do now but get on with it.
Across the pond I was delighted to see Roger Chapman become the first Englishman to win the US Senior PGA Championship. It’s a life-changing victory for the Englishman and he fully deserved it.
Finally, it was also hugely pleasing to see Sandy Lyle inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame recently. It gives him guaranteed entry into any Champions Tour event he chooses and it’s a fine way to honour one of the best players Britain has produced.
Sam Torrance OBE is a multiple Ryder Cup-winning golfer and media commentator. Follow him on Twitter @torrancesam