Donald – Congressional’s not too long

World No 1 Luke Donald insists he can drive the ball far enoughty off the tee to win this week’s US Open.
World No 1 Luke Donald insists he can drive the ball far enoughty off the tee to win this week’s 111th US Open.
At a 7,574 yards, Congressional is second only in length to Torrey Pines in US Open history, while the Englishman ranks way down on the PGA driving stats at 153rd, with an average of just under 280 yards.
But with his renowned accuracy and brilliant short game, Donald is convinced he can deal with that lack of length.
He said: “I think I’m long enough. Most of the courses we play are close to this, so I’m not concerned about length.”
And to those who point to his poor US Open record which shows that he has not managed a single top 10 finish in his seven appearances, he said: “My stats the last few years have not been great – I haven’t hit enough fairways for the distance I hit it and that’s held me back.
“But the biggest bonus I got out of Muirfield Village (the Memorial tournament two weeks ago) was that I led the stats in driving accuracy and was top 10 in greens hit too.”
The bookies may or may not agree with Donald about his chances this year. Too see what they think, visit Sky Bet for the latest odds.
Donald and fellow Englishman Lee Westwood will play together on Thursday and Friday, alongside German world No.3 Martin Kaymer in a ‘marquee group’ that includes the top three ranked players in the world.
Westwood said: “It’ll be a nice way to start off the tournament,” while Donald added: “It will be fun for us and hopefully fun for the fans.”
The Englishmen ended up in a shoot-out at Wentworth three weeks ago, when Donald won the European Tour’s BMW PGA title with a birdie to Westwood’s double bogey on the first extra hole of a play-off and with the points earned with his victory, he also ousted Westwood as the World No 1.
The Championship was 33-year-old Donald’s second victory of a season in which he has now had 10 successive top 10 finishes. But in the majors he has gone 31 tournaments and counting without a win.
“This is the best I’ve been playing obviously,” Donald said. “I’ve reached the pinnacle of the rankings and my play has been very consistent.
“I have a lot of confidence. There’s going to be more expectation and that brings a little more pressure, but I’ve been trying to concentrate on doing the same things every week whether I was ranked number one or 50.
“This will be a tough challenge. In US Opens you always expect that, but I like the set-up.”
Donald will also have family for company in his group on Thursday and Friday; Kaymer’s new caddie is Luke’s brother Christian.
“It’s good to see that my brother got picked up again by one of the great players,” Donald said.
Christian was previously with Paul Casey and prior to that alongside Donald himself.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Graeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA Tour
Lee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European Tour
Sam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA Championship
Defending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA Tour
English rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
News
We’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.