GOLF:LUKE DONALD is regarded by some as steady rather than enthralling but his closing round in Florida belied the theory that he cannot produce box-office golf.

The 33-year-old’s successful consistency is demeaned by those who would rather he endorsed his talent with major championship wins.

But his fourth victory of the season, in the Disney Classic, handed him the not insignificant title of the PGA Tour’s leading money winner.

It was hardly done in straightforward fashion; a closing-round 64 included six birdies in succession. Even his sternest critics surely cannot question his winning mentality now.

“I read the media as well,” Donald said. “It was pretty clear to me that from what everyone thought, I needed to win this week to be able to sway some people’s votes. I think as golfers it’s nice to win, but much more pleasing when things really mean something a little bit extra.

“It’s just knowing that I had to do it and being able to do it, and all of it kind of went along with picking up the first place. It’s very, very special. I answered a lot of critics’ questions coming here knowing I had to win, and doing it.”

The votes to which Donald referred are for the PGA Tour’s end of season awards. Yet he was also aware of American scepticism towards his record, which until Sunday showed no strokeplay tournament victory in the US since 2006.

In this season alone, Donald made 16 cuts from 19 events in the US. On 14 of those occasions, he finished inside the top 10. Total earnings of $6.68 million (€4.8 million) edged Webb Simpson into second place in the final PGA cash list.

Donald now stands on the brink of making history. If – as is likely – he maintains his position at the top of the European Tour’s money list, he will become the first player to top those charts in both continents in the same season.

Donald’s earnings of €3.8 million are €1.3 million clear of Rory McIlroy.

It almost seemed typical that news of the Northern Irishman’s change in management company overshadowed Donald’s bid to finish in the top two in Florida, as was necessary to clinch his money list position.

As matters in Europe come to a head, Donald’s schedule depends to a large extent on the timing of his wife, Diane, going into labour. The couple’s second child is due within the next fortnight, while eight events remain on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

“I think it’s exciting to be able to do something that nobody has done officially, and that’s win both money lists,” Donald says. “I’ve had a few players coming up to me and wishing me luck.

“I’ve met most of my expectations, and exceeded them probably. Getting to number one (in the world) and holding on to it and extending my lead and winning four times now, obviously that’s a pretty good year.

“I didn’t expect to play quite that well. But as a player, you always feel that you can do more than you actually are doing. I always believed that I had the ability to have a year like this.

“There were times where I didn’t have my best golf but I still contended, and that excites me for next year. If I can just sharpen up a little bit here and there, obviously more of those being in contentions will turn into wins.

“The only disappointing part of the year I suppose is not winning a major.”

Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson has fallen out of the world’s top 10 for the first time since February 2004. Simpson’s sixth-place finish at the Disney Classic on Sunday relegated his fellow American to 11th position.

Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey’s recent good form sees him lead the Ryder Cup rankings with Rory McIlroy following closely in second place.

Guardian Service