News: TOUR Notes
October 27 2011
12:07 pm
Donald named Player of Month
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Luke Donald has been named the PGA TOUR Player of the Month for October.
Donald received the honor after turning in a clutch performance at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic to clinch the TOUR’s money title and the Arnold Palmer Trophy that goes with it.
The Englishman, who started the final round essentially knowing he needed to win to earn the money crown, made up a five-stroke deficit over the final 10 holes – reeling off six straight birdies to open the back nine – and beat Justin Leonard by two strokes.
With the victory, Donald joined six other players with two PGA TOUR wins in 2011. He clinched the Byron Nelson Award for the lowest adjusted scoring average as well as the Vardon Trophy.
Donald is taking several weeks off due to the impending birth of his second daughter. He will also be competing in the European Tour’s Dubai World Championship in December as he attempts an unprecedented sweep of the money titles on both sides of the Atlantic.
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Well, that’s a start, I guess. Interesting that he’s referred to as “the Englishman”. You mean the American educated, raising his family in America, 2 primary residences in America, doesn’t own a home anywhere else on Earth, played over 20 Events avg. in the USA type “Englishman”, right? Just checkin’.
Amen to that Eddy. Who cares where they were born!
I think it’s quite important when it comes to Ryder Cup time. If a cow is born in a stable it doesn’t make it a horse.
He’s English. As far as I can tell he didn’t come to America until 1997. I agree it doesn’t necessarily matter where you were born but it does matter where you were Raised.
After the “reminder” of the HSBC, now this? Is it just me, am I a cynic? Tell me this “award” is not a “consolation” prize, or a subversive attempt of any kind, please. Luke is “Player of the previous 9 mos. of 2011″ also, no need to divvy it up, just give him the nod, for cryin’ out loud!!!
Mark, sbcr, I am drawing attention to the anonymous author’s unnecessary reference to Luke’s heritage, why did he not refer to Justin as “the American”? Who penned this statement? Just a nameless, faceless entity?
I think it’s the nature of most of the media when referring to golfers to identify them with their home nation. “The Canadian Mike Weir” , “The Irishman Padraig Harrington or Rory McIlroy”. When it comes to Americans they don’t necessarily identify them as Americans because the presumption is that they are American as the vast majority of players on the PGA are. But to say he’s not English because of where he lives or went to college is false.
sbcr, I understand all of that, I am reading a statement from the PGA Tour H/Q in Fla. regarding a US Tour member, in respect to US Golf events and 6 other US golfers etc. Maybe I’m a little skeptical of the intent of the mentioning of Luke’s homeland in this context, ya know what I’m sayin?
Know exactly what your sayin. It’s redundant. But they do it all the time. How long was Tiger world # 1…almost 6 years. Yet they always said “World #1 Tiger Woods” even tho everyone knew. They would never say “World # 35 Adam Scott” why would they, They’d say Aussie Adam Scott? Its just for fans to identify.
sbcr, I guess they couldn’t have referred to Luke as “World #1″ huh? Geez, surely his British ancestry is more important than his position in the game???? We are talking GOLF here, right? Just for the fans, right?
The Americans cant stand not having their man being number 1, So now they want Luke! funny how blind most Americans are to world history, and their place in it.
Luke is to stuck up and I dont care for him. He thinks hes the best but hes not. He will never out do Tiger’s record. Im glad hes not playing for awhile.
@Joyce Ann…Are you serious?Too stuck up? This guy is very humble and if hes thinks hes the best its because right now he is the best. No one is talking about Tiger, so dont come on here giving out about a player who will win literally every award possible on both tours and say hes not the best.
Luke propose to my son!
I love Luke!
[...] DONALD GOT SOME RECOGNITION for his stellar play—in October. This from PGA Tour headquarters: PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Luke Donald has been named the PGA TOUR [...]
The PGA don’t like their prize money going to overseas players. The TV coverage only shows foreign players when they just HAVE to. Ricky Fowler “Rookie of the Year” over Rory McIlroy – I ask you!!
no question about it..Luke has proven he is quite the golfer..the stats don’t lie..and certainly the money is further proof of his dominance this year, both here and abroad..Player of the year, hands down..
You guys are so ‘stuck up’ or suck up with nationalities, the game’s here is golf,wake up to the real world if you insist on talking about nationalities don’t call this the PGA tour website but callit the Nationalities website etc. Whatever people say Luke is still the # 1 golfer in the world and not # 1 nationalitiy inthe world.
GLAD TO SEE YOUR NOT LETTING THEM PRESSURE YOU INTO GOING TO CHINA /,there only goons that run the show anyway.cheers
@ EDDY … ARE YOU HAVING A DIG AT LUKE DONALD? HE WAS BORN IN ENGLAND SO HE IS ENGLISH. HIS FATHER IS SCOTTISH AND HIS MOTHER IS ENGLISH. HIS BROTHER AND HIMSELF SPEAK WITH EDUCATED ENGLISH ACCENTS. YES, HE WENT TO COLLEGE IN AMERICA BUT WENT TO PRIMARY SCHOOL (4-11 YRS OLD) AND SECONDARY SCHOOL (11-16) IN ENGLAND. WHAT POINT ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE YOUR HERO TIGER WOODS IS HALF AFRICAN AND HALF ASIAN AND HE’S “AMERICAN”??? NOPE SORRY THE ONLY TRUE AMERICAN IS THE RED INDIAN WHO YOU EUROPEAN SETTLERS ABSOLUTELY OBLITERATED.
@ JOYCE ANN .. Luke Donald is the complete opposite of stuck up. He is a gentleman and thoroughly deserves his ranking of number 1 in the world with his player over the past 24 months. On the subject of your Hero Eldrick Tont Woods … you want a stuck up, arrogant and rude person… look no further than Eldrick. Cannot stand the guy. And since youre comparing Luke to Tiger which is wrong in my view, why dont you compare Tiger’s 71 PGA wins to Sam Sneads 82 or Tiger’s 97 pro wins to Gary Player and Sam Snead’s tied total of 165 professional wins, or perhaps Tiger’s 14 Majors to Jack Nicklaus’ 18 Majors. Tiger Woods will not only NOT beat Jacks 18 Major record he wont get past Sam Snead’s 82 PGA TOUR wins either. Tiger is fortunate to be in the Presidents Cup Team, Tiger needs Steve Stricker to CARRY HIM AGAIN LIKE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO because his form simply isnt good enough. Tiger doesn’t win another Major.
oops *PLAY* over the past 24 months…….. not player =/
JOYCE ANN … being a woman I am surprised you are still a fan of Eldrick Tont Woods after he put shame on his late father, his mother, his ex wife and his children and made that absolute joke of an “apology”….
sean -don’t you hold the record for losing 8/strokes off your handicap overnight? must have been one hell of a round,or maybee you were playing by yourself-with yourself.
Luke belongs to Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois, where, as a student at Northwestern, he played Conway frequently. He still practices at Conway Farms when his schedule permits, and we members are very proud not only of his golf tournament performance, but more importantly, for his high moral character, integrity and humility. He is a great example of the highest standards of the game, and we congratulate him on his achievements. God Bless Luke, Diane, and their family.
SEAN, I am doing anything but “having a dig” at the US P.O.Y. I am “having a dig” at a US organization that wants to subversively remind us that LUKE is not American. Read the words, man, JOB 1 in getting a message instilled is repetition, branding, ya know? Choice of words and labels have an effect on the people that read them.
The pig will never win again.
The only reason that the PGAtour has put off the player of the year vote is that they want an excuse to give the award to an American, any American.
Luke deserves the Player of the Year as well! His performance and achievements during the year tell it all and this is not anyone can deny him off please!!!
If luke is not given the player of the year award it is an injustIce.
Everybody shut up. American, English, WHO CARES? Luke Donald has had a spectacular year, and for that he’s made bank! Whether he gets PTY or not, nothing will take away his performance! Everyone can appreciate that, so stop bickering.
Look at Sean Smith… being a biggot again! Haha I would love to meet you Sean you pig!
All be proud!
Luke Donald is a product of his upbringing in England, his University education in the United States and his parents. He appears highly competetive but modest. He has interests outside golf which make him a well rounded individual, unlike some golfers. He is proud to be European, look at his record in the Ryder Cup and yet fully supports his life in the USA. Look at the comments from his home golf club. As a role model and example of what the American Dream can achieve he is an outstanding example.
Allied to his unbelievable record this year in all US tournaments I can’t believe his professional colleagues in the USA will not reward him.
For me it´s very important, that Luke is English. That´s the reason, why he can help the European Team to beat the Americans next year in their own country. I hope they will do it!!
Hello Lucy, please don’t ever use the word pig ever again, coz pigs do not play golf.
And please try to respect everyone.
Wow! …you people can certainly get riled up over a few simple issues.
1) Is Luke Donald a good person? Probably 95% of the people would give him full marks.
2) Does Luke Donald deserve POY? Probably the only way he won’t get it, is the “American System” will rig it so that an American wins!
3) Tiger Woods is a true gentleman on and off the golf course? Anyone with half an eye and a backside knows that Woods is a complete turkey. Unfortunately, his sponsors have forced the media to treat him as a God. We have to see every interview, every curse, every shot when he’s 10 strokes back, every thrown club, and certainly every arrogant shrug. But there is no question, he did have incredible raw talent. Unfortunately, it was contained in a spoiled brat.
Luke Donald: A Credit to the Game and Perfect Idol for Aspiring Sportsmen – http://www.thegolfdebate.wordpress.com
@thegolfdebate
Yes, Luke Donald has been a great example of sportsmanship and professionalism in professional sports and golf in particular. Particularly in contrast to and in light of past 2 years events of Tiger Woods and others, Luke’s image is more warming and makes us all say ‘ah, isn’t this what golfers are supposed to be.’ But, that’s where the buck stops.
The key factor keeping him from the winners circle more often is in the very example you gave about Jason Day throwing his club down on the fairway: the lack of real competitive spirit, tenacity, “a-nastiness,” the “I’m gonna kick everyone’s but today” attitude; I’ll show them, etc, etc, etc…That split-second moment when you lose control of your emotions and actions and shout the four-letter word or slam your club to the ground, whatever; displays that FIRE IN THE BELLY. My opinion, Luke Donald lacks the real fire-in-the-belly. He’s too nice, soft, maybe too concerned with image.
As one famous coach once said, “Just win baby.” To win in sports, one must be willing to take risks. And sometimes, high risks. Luke Donald does not take risks. He’s too conservative; and his golf game reflects this. Hence, low rewards and too few trips to the winners-circle.
Though Luke Donald has been very consistent he cannot be given the label of a “winner.” Athletes ultimately will be known for winning or losing. Until Luke Donald can win more consistently, he’ll just be known as a consistent golfer who’s a nice guy.
@thethinman…I dont really understand your rant. You say luke doesnt have the killer instinct and cannot be called a winner. Even though in the last 18 months, he has won 5 times and has finished runner up 6 times and is looking like he will win a lot more in the future.
Yes, again, all that is true (including his wins across the water, ok).
For me it doesn’t change my perspective of a world’s no1 player who barely wins the award, wins 5 times in almost 2 years with other wins coming across the water. Not bad, but not impressive. 6 Runner-ups – really! Who cares! Again, it’s about winning; you can keep the runner-ups.
Again, Luke Donald is the most consistent player in golf, but still only one of the better than average players on the PGA tour. I think his record says exactly that.
My rant…again
LUCY you have to stop stalking me,you sound like a really nice SOW but there will be no makin bacon with you.
Congrats to Luke on a great year! BUT BRADLEY GETS POY!
circus keeps rollin in china ~ dream on ringmaster.
[...] DONALD GOT SOME RECOGNITION for his stellar play—in October. This from PGA Tour headquarters: PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Luke Donald has been named the PGA TOUR [...]
[...] DONALD GOT SOME RECOGNITION for his stellar play—in October. This from PGA Tour headquarters: PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Luke Donald has been named the PGA TOUR [...]