VIRGINIA WATER, England, May 26 (Reuters) - Britain’s Luke Donald said he felt “invincible” after a seven-under 64 gave him the first-round lead while several golfing heavyweights laboured on a torrid day for scoring in the PGA Championship on Thursday.
The world number two opened up a two-stroke advantage over Swede Johan Edfors and 18-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero. Oscar Floren, four-under through 14 holes, was in fourth position when play was halted because of bad light.
Swede Floren and 14 other players must return on Friday morning to finish off their rounds after play had been suspended for 36 minutes when a crack of thunder was heard over the iconic West Course at Wentworth.
Donald, one of the early starters, said he realised he was in top form from the moment he hit a sweet approach shot through a stiff breeze at the first hole.
“I guess you feel a little bit invincible. Everything is positive around you,” the Englishman told reporters after equalling his lowest round on the European Tour.
“That was probably one of the best rounds I’ve ever played,” added Donald who has finished in the top 10 in all but one of the nine events he has played this season on the U.S. and European circuits.
Britons Ian Poulter, Ross McGowan and Bradley Dredge posted 68s along with Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara while Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke plus long-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros were among a group of players on 69.
Lee Westwood, under pressure from Donald and third-ranked Martin Kaymer (74) to retain his world number one spot this week, carded a 72 in wet and windy conditions at the European Tour’s flagship event.
When play was suspended in late afternoon, Poulter and compatriot Paul Casey used the delay to eat fish and chips alongside the crowds while Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez puffed on a cigar in trademark fashion.
ERRANT SHOT
Donald was tied second last year at Wentworth and could have won but for a rare errant tee shot on the par-five 17th which he said had been difficult to erase from his memory.
“It’s hard to block stuff like that out sometimes. But I was hitting the driver great today,” said the 33-year-old.
Donald, who is often called ‘Mr Plod’ for the careful manner in which he plots his way round the golf course in contrast to some of the game’s longer hitters, said his opening round was a delight.
“To pretty much have total control of the golf ball doesn’t happen very often but that’s how I felt today,” he said.
After his brilliant start in tough conditions, the Ryder Cup player said he fancied his chances if the inclement weather continued.
“There are guys that don’t like the bad weather or don’t have the talent to compete in it. I think it makes the field a little bit smaller in terms of people that have the ability to win. There’s no quitting out there,” said Donald.
Former Ryder Cup captain and eight-times European number one Montgomerie said he thought that breaking 70 was a good effort in the swirling 30-kph winds.
“Some of the shots you hit, they just don’t go anywhere. They hit a brick wall of wind and nothing much happens,” said the 47-year-old Briton.
“It’s just a very difficult golf course now,” added the triple PGA Championship winner.
Donald summed up the conditions when discussing the scores of his playing partners.
“Simon (Khan, last year’s champion) and Graeme (McDowell, U.S. Open winner and world number five) didn’t look like they were playing that badly … it was tricky,” said the Englishman.
Khan finished with a 76 and McDowell posted a 75. Former Ryder Cup player Paul McGinley struggled to an 80, Briton Nick Dougherty slumped to an 82 and twice European Tour winner Mikko Ilonen of Finland had an 83.
Other players who toiled were world number six Rory McIlroy (76), U.S. Masters winner Charl Schwartzel (79) and his fellow South Africans Ernie Els (75) and British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (76).
The world number two opened up a two-stroke advantage over Swede Johan Edfors and 18-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero. Oscar Floren, four-under through 14 holes, was in fourth position when play was halted because of bad light.
Swede Floren and 14 other players must return on Friday morning to finish off their rounds after play had been suspended for 36 minutes when a crack of thunder was heard over the iconic West Course at Wentworth.
Donald, one of the early starters, said he realised he was in top form from the moment he hit a sweet approach shot through a stiff breeze at the first hole.
“I guess you feel a little bit invincible. Everything is positive around you,” the Englishman told reporters after equalling his lowest round on the European Tour.
“That was probably one of the best rounds I’ve ever played,” added Donald who has finished in the top 10 in all but one of the nine events he has played this season on the U.S. and European circuits.
Britons Ian Poulter, Ross McGowan and Bradley Dredge posted 68s along with Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara while Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke plus long-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros were among a group of players on 69.
Lee Westwood, under pressure from Donald and third-ranked Martin Kaymer (74) to retain his world number one spot this week, carded a 72 in wet and windy conditions at the European Tour’s flagship event.
When play was suspended in late afternoon, Poulter and compatriot Paul Casey used the delay to eat fish and chips alongside the crowds while Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez puffed on a cigar in trademark fashion.
ERRANT SHOT
Donald was tied second last year at Wentworth and could have won but for a rare errant tee shot on the par-five 17th which he said had been difficult to erase from his memory.
“It’s hard to block stuff like that out sometimes. But I was hitting the driver great today,” said the 33-year-old.
Donald, who is often called ‘Mr Plod’ for the careful manner in which he plots his way round the golf course in contrast to some of the game’s longer hitters, said his opening round was a delight.
“To pretty much have total control of the golf ball doesn’t happen very often but that’s how I felt today,” he said.
After his brilliant start in tough conditions, the Ryder Cup player said he fancied his chances if the inclement weather continued.
“There are guys that don’t like the bad weather or don’t have the talent to compete in it. I think it makes the field a little bit smaller in terms of people that have the ability to win. There’s no quitting out there,” said Donald.
Former Ryder Cup captain and eight-times European number one Montgomerie said he thought that breaking 70 was a good effort in the swirling 30-kph winds.
“Some of the shots you hit, they just don’t go anywhere. They hit a brick wall of wind and nothing much happens,” said the 47-year-old Briton.
“It’s just a very difficult golf course now,” added the triple PGA Championship winner.
Donald summed up the conditions when discussing the scores of his playing partners.
“Simon (Khan, last year’s champion) and Graeme (McDowell, U.S. Open winner and world number five) didn’t look like they were playing that badly … it was tricky,” said the Englishman.
Khan finished with a 76 and McDowell posted a 75. Former Ryder Cup player Paul McGinley struggled to an 80, Briton Nick Dougherty slumped to an 82 and twice European Tour winner Mikko Ilonen of Finland had an 83.
Other players who toiled were world number six Rory McIlroy (76), U.S. Masters winner Charl Schwartzel (79) and his fellow South Africans Ernie Els (75) and British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen (76).
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