Donald crowned world number one after PGA playoff win

Wentworth: Luke Donald replaced Lee Westwood as world number one after beating his fellow Briton in a titanic final-day shootout that went to a playoff in the PGA Championship at Wentworth on Sunday. After the pair had finished 72 holes tied on 278 — six under par — Donald produced a birdie four at the first extra hole to pick up the first prize of 750,000 euros ($1.07 million). Donald, who started the week ranked second in the world, struck a majestic wedge at the 18th and the ball spectacularly spun back to finish eight feet from the hole to loud cries from the West Course crowd of ‘Luke, Luke, Luke’. Westwood played an almost replica wedge shot but his ball unluckily spun back into the moat at the front of the green and his hopes of remaining at the top of the rankings were effectively ruined.Donald, who began the round in a tie for the lead with Italian teenager Matteo Manassero, struggled off the tee all day but managed to scramble his way to a one-under 70 on another tough day for scoring at the European Tour’s flagship event. Westwood, playing in the match ahead, notched five birdies in a 68 and had the chance to win the coveted trophy at the 72nd hole when he missed a six-foot putt. Britain’s Simon Dyson (69) took third place on 280 and Australian Marcus Fraser, Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Ireland’s Shane Lowry shared fourth spot on 282. – Dailytimes