Luke Donald will make another push for the world number one slot at this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Englishman hoping for another big week in New Orleans
England's Luke Donald will make another push for the world number one slot at this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Donald looked all set to leap over Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood at the top of the rankings when he holed a birdie putt at the first extra hole of his play-off against Brandt Snedeker in The Heritage at Hilton Head last week.
But American Snedeker holed a birdie putt of his own to stay alive and then made par to Donald's bogey at the third extra hole to deny the Englishman top spot.
Donald is back for more in New Orleans though and has to be confident of another big display with the stats showing that he has gained significantly more rankings points compared to last season than any other top 10 player (Donald has earned 151.48 points, with Kaymer the next best with 118.8).
Despite his near miss last week, Donald is confident that he has an excellent chance to hit top spot this season and in the future.
"It would be something great to talk to the grandkids in 30 years' time and say that you were the best in the world, but I still have a lot of chances to do that," said the 33-year-old after the play-off defeat.
Donald has never teed it up in this event before but his current form is easily the best in the field.
In his last five events he's finished runner-up at The Heritage, fourth in The Masters, sixth in the WGC-Cadillac Championship, 10th in the Honda Classic and taken victory in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
Partner
World number five Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland is also lining up at TPC Louisana where gusty conditions are expected on the 7,341-yard par 72.
The US Open champ will partner Donald and Korean KJ Choi in the opening two rounds.
Others high in the rankings taking part are Steve Stricker (9), past Zurich Classic champion Nick Watney (14th), big-hitting Bubba Watson (17th) and England's Justin Rose (25th).
The field also includes the past 10 winners of this event.
Jason Bohn, whose winning total of 18-under par might not be threatened given the winds, is the defending champion while it will be the 10th anniversary of local man David Toms' memorable victory in 2001 when the event was held at English Turn.
Other past winners in the field are Jerry Kelly (2009), Andres Romero (2008), Nick Watney (2007), Chris Couch (2006), Tim Petrovic (2005) and Vijay Singh (2004).
