Worldwide Golf

 

LUKE Donald bounced back from the disappointment of missing out at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth by winning the Madrid Masters by one shot from Rhys Davies.

The 32-year-old was level with Davies with three to play but holed a 12-foot eagle putt on the 16th to go a shot clear of the Welshman who made a birdie. Both then parred the 17th and Davies missed a 20-footer for birdie on the final green to leave Donald in the winner’s circle for the first time in four years.

“It’s been a while since I won and to put last week behind me makes me very proud,” said Donald, whose last victory came in 2006 at The Honda Classic in Florida. “The way I played today means a lot to me. The eagle was huge because Rhys put a lot of pressure on me. It’s happiness and relief - definitely some relief.”

Donald closed with a 67 to Davies’ 68 for a 21-under-par total and moved up to ninth on the Official World Golf Rankings to join compatriots Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey inside the top ten.

Davies, who turned 25 on the Friday, almost added to his maiden victory on The European Tour at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco but fell just short behind the experienced Donald.

“I didn’t make a bogey in the final group in a big tournament,” Davies said. “It didn’t quite come off, but I’ve got lots to be pleased about.

“I was chasing the win and I just came up short unfortunately. On the 16th I thought I might keep the momentum (he had birdied 15 to pull level), but he threw in an eagle to be fair to him.”

Italian Francesco Molinari finished in third place on 18-under-par with Graeme McDowell a shot further back in fourth place.