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Written by Drummond Golf
Thursday, 23 February 2012 03:15
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 Luke Donald has become accustomed to winning titles and trophies over the last few years - and although he has not yet added to his tally in 2012 the world number one was still the recipient of another award this week.
The Englishman arrived in Arizona for the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship a few days ago, but even before play began at The Ritz Carlton Golf Club he was presented with the prestigious Mark H McCormack Award for the player to spend the most amount of time at the top of official world golf rankings in 2011.
Richard Hills, European Ryder Cup director, handed Donald the trophy on Wednesday (February 22), making him the only man other than Tiger Woods to claim the accolade that was first introduced in 1998.
Donald won the award easily, having reached the number one ranking with his victory at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club last May and not toppled since.
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem also presented the 34-year-old with the Arnold Palmer Award for heading the tour money list, the 2011 Jack Nicklaus Award as the player of the year and the 2011 Byron Nelson Award for best stroke average.
Donald will now turn his attentions to defending his Match Play title this week, in a format he believes suits his game perfectly.
"I'm excited to be back. I've always enjoyed the challenge of match play," he said.
"I've enjoyed the fact that it's helpful to be consistent, to not lose holes carelessly. For whatever reason the format seems to suit my game and hopefully I can have another good week."
The world's top player added that without his victory at the tournament last year, some of his later successes may never have eventuated.
"I think without winning here that maybe some of the other wins wouldn't have been possible," Donald said.
"It really restored some of my confidence in myself and proved to myself that I could win again."
However, the Englishman remains under constant threat of being usurped at the head of the world rankings by either compatriot Lee Westwood or Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy.
Both players can move ahead of Donald this week, should he exit the event in the early stages.
"It takes a lot of consistency to get there but it takes an equal amount of consistency to stay there," Donald commented.
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