Donald getting used to life at the top
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China Daily, July 14, 2011
Luke Donald is preparing to scrap his way to victory at the British Open as he seeks to crown his rise to the top of world golf with his maiden major championship win.
The 33-year-old has enjoyed a superb season so far, notching wins at the WCG Accenture World Match Play and the BMW PGA Championship before prevailing in last weekend's Scottish Open.
That trio of triumphs have helped earn Donald his ranking tag of world No 1, a label that is sitting increasingly comfortably on the Englishman since he knocked compatriot Lee Westwood off top spot earlier this year.
"I think being No 1 obviously makes everything a little bit different, a little bit more expectation, a little bit more media, more attention," Donald said here on Tuesday.
"But I think this is my sixth or seventh week as No 1, so I'm starting to get used to it slowly and surely.
"The benefit (of the ranking) really is probably more of a self benefit. You know, it just inspires you personally inside."
Donald is awaiting his first major championship and has become used to deflecting questions about whether his world No 1 status will only feel authentic after he breaks that duck.
He admits that winning a major would be the icing on his breakthrough year. "I've always wanted to win a major since I started, since I turned pro, even before that, obviously growing up and watching some of my idols, the (Nick) Faldos and the Seves (Ballesteros) and the like.
"It really doesn't change whether I'm ranked 100 or ranked No 1. I can't control the ranking system; it's a mathematical thing that's worked out.
"I've obviously played well enough to get to the top, but certainly winning a major would be the icing on a year that has been very, very successful so far."
Donald, who plays most of his golf on the finely manicured fairways and greens of the US Tour, admits that winning on the windswept and temperamental Royal St. George's would be his greatest achievement.
"There's very few tournaments we play where the golf is anything even similar to this," he said.
"It's a different set of circumstances, different grasses, different shots. You're having to manipulate the ball a lot more, really control it.
"It's not just standing up there and swinging away. There's a lot more thought to it and a lot more control of the golf ball that's needed. This is a tough one to win. The guy that can scrap it around and make pars from off the green, hole some long putts and kind of keep the momentum going, is going to be the guy who plays well."
