Wednesday March 20, 2013
Donald set for Malaysian Open despite checking in late
WORLD No. 3 Luke Donald (pic) is confident that despite checking in late for the Maybank Malaysian Open, it will not affect his performance at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
He added that the Malaysian Open has gained a good reputation and he is pleased to be part of the cast this year.
The Englishman, who now resides in the United States, will be making his debut in the tournament and is among the big names in the fray. The others are Major Champions Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington along with 2011 winner Matteo Manassero from Italy.
Donald said he was in Kuala Lumpur two years ago for another co-sanctioned tournament and feels that he can adapt to the situation here despite arriving just two days before the start.
“I’ve travelled a lot as a golfer and that has certainly helped me become a global player. I have learnt to deal with different courses, different playing surface and different types of competition. These are the things that make one a good player.
“Any time you have a 12-hour time difference there’s a bit of adjusting to do. With all the travelling that I have done over the years, I am sure that adjusting to the conditions here will be a little easier,” said Donald.
Donald said his form has seen an upswing especially at the recent Tampa Bay Championships.
“I played much better and the game was well controlled. It has given me greater confidence and I am sure I can improve further. I am looking forward to the Malaysian Open and it will be good to keep up the good play.”
The Malaysian open will be the fifth meet for Donald this year.
But the former world number one also has his eyes on the coming Major, which is the US Masters at Augusta, Georgia from April 11-14.
Donald believes there is less pressure playing in the US Masters now than when he was the world’s best player two years ago.
He said that the expectations, pressure and tension that goes with being the No. 1 can be daunting and that is always a distraction in a Major.
“Naturally as the best player on the planet you get a lot of pressure. But that is a position that we want to be in. I have to agree that there is a less pressure in being the number three going into the Masters. I am looking forward to it and in recent weeks my game has come together well enough to give me confidence,” he said.
Donald has the distinction of being the world number one without having won a Major.
He became the number one golfer in the World Golf Ranking after winning the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club in May 2011.
He held the No. 1 position for 40 weeks and then again for 10 weeks in 2012.
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