IN A tournament played at the Disney World resort there was no way England’s world number one golfer was going to allow the headline “Donald Ducks Challenge” to be written.
So, after originally planning a week off, Luke Donald is in Florida and battling with American Webb Simpson to decide which of them will be the PGA Tour’s leading money-winner this season.
To nobody’s surprise, they have been paired together in the first two rounds of the Disney Classic today and tomorrow.
“There was never really a decision to be made – I have a chance of making history,” said Donald.
The money list title has lost some of its status in the US with the introduction of the FedEx Cup play-offs – Bill Haas won that a month ago – but nobody has ever topped the standings on both sides of the Atlantic in the same season.
In Europe Donald is well over €1.1 million ahead of Rory McIlroy, but in America Simpson’s second place finish in Georgia last Sunday took him €262,519 in front.
As a consequence Donald has to be in the top two on Sunday. If he wins Simpson would have to be runner-up on his own to claim the crown, while if Donald is solo second or in a two-way tie Simpson would miss out if he is lower than eighth or 21st respectively.
The 33-year-old Ryder Cup ace is gunning for history, but history is not on his side.
The last time the money list lead changed hands in the final week of the season was in 1996 when Tom Lehman won the Tour Championship to overtake Phil Mickelson.
“I’m sure he’s going to play well,” said Simpson, who played in the same Walker Cup match at Royal County Down as McIlroy four years ago.
Justin Rose, winner of the third of the FedEx Cup play-off events, is also in the field and another victory would further boost his hopes of a Ryder Cup recall next year.
DISNEY CLASSIC
Course: Magnolia Golf Club and Palm Golf Cub, Florida.
Prize money: €3.4 million (€614,000 to the winner).
Length: Magnolia 7,516 yards. Palm 6,957 yards. Par: 72 both courses. Field: 132
The layout: One round is played on each course over the first two days. The final 36 holes are at Magnolia, which is the toughest track.
Defending champion: Robert Garrigus won by three shots.
Type of player suited to challenge: Recent rain has softened the courses which will favour the long drivers.
Key attribute: Touch.
Weather forecast: Sunshine and gentle breezes.
On TV: Sky Sports (7pm this evening).
