Golf:US Open champion Graeme McDowell has hailed new world number one Luke Donald as "the full package." after he rose to top spot with victory in the BMW Championship at Wentworth two days ago.
And his European Ryder Cup team-mate McDowell acclaimed Donald's achievement as he prepares to defend the Wales Open title at Celtic Manor, starting on Thursday, before heading off to defend this year's US Open at the Congressional course in Washington.
"It gives me a lot of confidence seeing a guy like Luke having his game as polished as it is right now," said McDowell. "When you play with guys like maybe Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson or Rory McIlroy, they do things with a golf ball I am not sure I could do.
"I am never going to be able to fly it 350 yards, but when I look at Luke, who has a type of game like I have which is not a power game, it's a controlled game with a great short game and a great putter. I know I can get that good.
"It is Luke's level of consistency that has blown me away at the minute.
"How does he keep doing what he's doing? The schedule he has just played – the business end of The Players' Championship, Volvo World Matchplay and then the PGA - he is just churning it out week after week. It's incredible.
"I remember playing a practice round with him at the Ryder Cup here at Celtic Manor last year, and he really impressed me. He is continuing to play that way – he has got the full package."
McDowell finished down the field in yesterday's inaugural PowerPlay event over nine holes of the Ryder Cup Twenty Ten Course, which was won by Swedish ladies' European Tour player Caroline Hedwall.
With two flags on each green, a harder black flag allowed each player among a 12-strong field a limited number of chances to score extra Stableford points.
Two other stars of the women's game - American Paula Creamer and Sweden's Helen Alfredsson - pushed Hedwall close, but she posted an impressive 32 points to win €115,000 just 24 hours after collecting €52,000 for winning a European Tour event in Slovakia.
Ian Poulter was the best male finisher, ending joint-third with Creamer, while Paul Casey would undoubtedly have run Hedwall close had his putter not let him down at key moments.
Hedwall said: "I was nervous and struggled in the beginning, but my putting saved me a lot. I really can't believe the last couple of days."
