Luke Donald, the 34-year-old Englishman, is the World No. 1 ranked golf player since May 2011 after the win at the European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship. He had a near perfect year, being the first player to win the money list of both the PGA Tour and European Tour this year. He also became the first Englishman to win both the PGA Player of the Year and PGA Tour Player of the Year award in 2011
In spite of his word ranking, Donald is yet to win a major title. He has been consistent, creating 17 of 19 cuts on the PGA Tour and winning it twice. He even won two European tournaments. Donald worked towards the top rank by defeating then World No. 1 Martin Kaymar in the February 2011 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Donald continued his exceptional form in the Ryder Cup. His exceptional form in the front nine lead to his victory and his ranking improved to No. 3.
Luke Donald defeated Lee Westwood in a playoff to bag the flagship event- BMW PGA Championship held at the Wentworth Club. Westwood was the number one player at the start of the tournament, but during the tournament, it was contest between the second and first ranked players to win the top rank. Donald played a grand pitch on the first playoff, leaving himself a six feet for birdie. Westwood tried to unsuccessfully follow suit and ended in the water. Donald was left to hole out for birdie after Westwood chipped out from the drop zone. This ensured Luke Donald the win and he became the third Englishman to achieve the World No. 1 ranking.
Luke Donald became the Player of the Year after he secured 88% of the votes. He had a great year, winning four titles, finishing in the top ten 14 times in 19 events, and he also finished 2011 maintaining his No.1 rank.