Donald ducks talk of a major curse on the Europeans
No European has won a major since Paul Lawrie at the 1999 British Open, but Luke Donald of England believes he is just one of many Europeans ready, able and willing to claim one of golf's biggest prizes this week at Winged Foot.
MAMARONECK, N.Y. (PA) -- No European player has won the U.S. Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970, and the last European winner of any major was Paul Lawrie at Carnoustie in the 1999 British Open.
But Luke Donald is not about to let such depressing statistics upset his bid for a first major title in the 106th U.S. Open at Winged Foot this week.
The 28-year-old has slipped behind Sergio Garcia and David Howell in the world rankings since climbing into the top 10 for the first time following his victory in the Honda Classic earlier this season. But there is little doubt his game is best suited to the typical U.S. Open test provided by Winged Foot, with penal rough bordering the narrow fairways and guarding the undulating greens.
And the Ryder Cup star also feels it is about time he was contending for major titles on a regular basis after firmly establishing himself among the world's best.
"I've always said U.S. Opens seem to suit my game," agreed Donald, whose best major finish of third came in his Masters debut last year. "I don't hit the ball 300 yards every time. I hit the ball quite straight, I rely on hitting fairways and greens and kind of grinding out par sometimes, especially on tough courses. That's the kind of game plan you need for a U.S. Open.
"I would put the U.S. Open at the top of the majors for my chances of winning one," he explained. "It is getting to that time where majors are really important to me. I'm really starting to prepare my year around the majors.
"I've got to a point in my career where winning a few tour events is great, but if I want to be known as a great player I've got to compete and try to win majors," he said. "These are very important weeks for me."
Winged Foot has staged several major championships -- the last being the 1997 PGA Championship won by Davis Love III -- but is perhaps best remembered for the so-called 'massacre' of 1974 when Hale Irwin won with a 7-over total of 287.
At 7,246 yards and with a par of just 70, it again promises to provide a stiff test, but Donald is happier than most to see the tough conditions.
"I don't think you can overpower this course," added Donald, who finished fifth in last week's Barclays Classic at nearby Westchester.
"The rough is so long that not even the strongest players, if the ball sits down, they're going to struggle to get anywhere near to the greens. For me that's a good sign," he said. "Keeping it in the fairways is what's going to be my key to success around here. Any time waywardness is punished is a good thing for me."
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