Luke Donald Wins PGA Tour's Final Event and Money Title

by Eric Hills on October 24, 2011

Mizuno PGA Tour Staffer and World #1 Golfer Luke Donald finished off his remarkable 2011 PGA Tour season in grand fashion, winning the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Trailing by five shots entering Sunday, Donald fired an 8-under 64 in the final round, starting off the back nine with six consecutive birdies. He went on to finish 17-under for the tournament, winning by two shots.

"After the eighth hole, it wasn't looking good," said Donald. "My caddie and I talked Saturday night that I hadn't really gotten on a run yet this week. What better time to get on a run than the back nine on Sunday. It's nice to do it under pressure when I need to."

With this victory at the CMNHC, Donald earned the 2011 PGA Tour money crown, netting $864,000 for this win, and bringing his season total to $6,683,214. This is Donald's second PGA Tour victory of the year, having also won the WGC Accenture Match Play in February. Donald led the PGA Tour in scoring average with 68.86, earning him the Vardon Trophy.  He also had 14 top 10 finishes out of 19 total events played in 2011, making a clear statement to become the 2011 PGA Tour Player of the Year.

"This was a tremendous year for me," said Donald. "A lot of critics questioned whether I should be No. 1 in the world. To play well under this kind of pressure is great."

Now, Donald sets his sights on the Race to Dubai, the European Tour's money title, where he leads by 1.3 million Euros. Donald is trying to become the first player to win both money titles in the same year.