World Golf News - 30 May 2011

In Europe, a clash of golfing titans saw Lee Westwood of the United Kingdom dethroned from his place at the top of world golf by compatriot Luke Donald, in a dramatic play-off that took place at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club. As the two champions approached the first play-off hole at the 18th, Donald’s masterful short game saw his approach shot land just feet from the hole. Westwood was not so lucky, and when his ball met with a water hazard the championship was over. Luke Donald has long been punted as a strong contender for world number one, and on Sunday he proved to the golfing world that this reputation is not in vein.

With Luke Donald in the much-contested number one position, Westwood will occupy the number two spot while Germany’s Martin Kaymer, who also reached the top spot several months ago, takes third place. Meanwhile former world number one Tiger Woods has slipped further in the world golf rankings to number 12 as he seems unable to weather the cycle of bad form that has plagued him since his well-publicised divorce. Woods however remains the world’s highest-paid athlete, having earned close to $100 Million in 2010.

On the US PGA Tour, rookie Keegan Bradley won an exciting maiden victory on the Tour as he beat Ryan Palmer to win the Byron Nelson Championship in an action-packed playoff. In a victory not unlike Luke Donald’s, Bradley’s approach shot set him up for victory as he made par on the first playoff hole. Palmer’s shot found water, and once his ball was back in play he managed a face-saving bogey putt. However the championship went to the 24-year old Bradley, who was visibly excited to have won his first title in his home country, the United States.

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