Luke Donald wins BMW PGA Championship

Luke Donald has successfully defended the BMW PGA Championship over the West Course at Wentworth. The Englishman finished four clear of Paul Lawrie and Justin Rose and returned to Number 1 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Donald began the final round two shots clear of Rose but that gap was closed within just four holes of the final round. Donald wasn't flustered, however, and was able to pull away again. By the 10th, he was three clear of the field and wasn't seriously threatened on his run home to the finishing line.

Scotland's Paul Lawrie made an exciting charge through the middle part of his final round. He eagled the 4th hole, then further birdies at the 6th, 11th and 12th put him right into contention. A dropped shot at the 14th slowed him somewhat, but the 43-year-old finished strongly with birdies at the last two holes. He ended the week on an impressive total of 277: 11-under-par.

Donald's progress over the closing holes was inevitable as he came home in an excellent 3-under-par 34. In so doing, he secured his seventh European Tour victory. He is only the third player to successfully defend the PGA Championship, after Sir Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie.

"To come and defend and get back to number one is very sweet indeed." he said. "I was just trying to keep my head down and plug away. I was swinging well and I've putted well all week."

Rose might have taken solo second, but for a short missed birdie putt on the final hole. By ending the tournament in a tie for second, Paul Lawrie may move inside the top-30 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

"When you get on a bit of a run the confidence goes up and right now it's probably never been better," he said.

36-hole leader James Morrison recovered well after a disastrous third round of 81 to fire a closing 71 and end the event in a tie for 10th.

BMW PGA Championship Wentworth Club, Surrey, England 24-27 May, purse €4,500,000, par 72

1   Luke Donald (Eng)   68   68   69   68   273   €750,000 T2   Paul Lawrie (Sco)      69   71   71   66   277   €390,850 T2   Justin Rose (Eng)      67   71   69   70   277   €390,850 4   Peter Lawrie (Ire)      66   71   72   71   280   €225,000 5   Branden Grace (RSA)   69   69   73   70   281   €190,800 6   Richard Sterne (RSA)   71   68   72   71   282   €157,500 T7   Marcel Siem (Ger)   71   67   76   69   283   €116,100 T7   Francesco Molinari (Ita) 68   70   74   71   283   €116,100 T7   Ernie Els (RSA)      68   73   70   72   283   €116,100 T10   Alvaro Quiros (Esp)   67   70   77   70   284   €78,300 T10   David Drysdale (Sco)   66   70   78   70   284   €78,300 T10   David Higgins (Ire)   70   70   74   70   284   €78,300 T10   James Morrison (Eng)   68   64   81   71   284   €78,300 T10   Ian Poulter (Eng)      71   73   69   71   284   €78,300

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

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