Luke Donald returned to his winter home in the US earlier this week for a reception at the PGA of America Headquarters, where he received two awards from his stunning 2011 season.
The World Number One spends his winters in Palm Beach Gardens, and was honoured by PGA staff as he picked up his first PGA of America Player of the Year Award and Vardon Trophy. Donald captured both awards last season, becoming the first Englishman to win both in the same year. He is just the second Briton to earn the Vardon Trophy, based upon lowest adjusted scoring average and first presented to "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper in 1937.
The PGA Player of the Year, first presented in 1948, was last presented to an Englishman in 1990 when Nick Faldo earned the honour.
"It means everything, that's why we play the game, to try and write history and to try and get our names on trophies," said Donald, who won two PGA Tour events in 2011 and won the money titles on the PGA and European Tours. "To be mentioned among the names of the great champions that have won before, it inspires me to keep working hard and to hear those great champions, it is truly an honour."
Donald splits his year by living in Evanston, Illinois, where he graduated in 2001 from Northwestern University, not far from Medinah Country Club, host venue of The 2012 Ryder Cup from September 28-30.
"Medinah is about 30 minutes from my home, and I have played the course a few times, but not for about a year and half," said Donald. "They have made a few changes recently. It will be a great event at Medinah. The Ryder Cup is the most special event I have ever played. I've always enjoyed match play, and I’m fortunate to have had a good record as an amateur in the Walker Cup. When you do well in those competitions, it gives you a lot of confidence."
Though he holds the top world ranking, Donald is asked what has kept him from achieving a professional's ultimate career goal - winning a Major Championship.
"It's hard to answer, my game is good enough to win a Major," said Donald. "My driving has held me back and you have to be driving it well during a Major Championship. If I can sharpen up a little bit, I feel I can compete well."
When he was younger, Donald admired a European wave of talent that was headed by Faldo and the late Seve Ballesteros. He said that the current European young talent "runs in cycles."
"Certainly, things are going well for European golf now," said Donald. "There are many fine players and they are holding their own everywhere. Are there more on the horizon? I'm sure there are."
Donald's reception included his answering questions regarding his personal life, choices in local restaurants and sports idols.
"The time I have away from the course, I am with my family, and to have two daughters who greet you with a smile when you get up in the morning, means everything," said Donald. "Having two daughters, I believe, has given my life a lot more balance."
The PGA Player of the Year and Vardon Trophy
The PGA of America has honoured the game's best players with The PGA Player of the Year Award since 1948. The award is presented to the top touring professional in the US based on a point system for tournament wins, official money standings, and scoring averages. Points for the 2012 award are tabulated from January 1, through to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, which concludes on November 11.
The PGA Tour also recognizes its annual Player of the Year, with the winner determined by a vote of the membership. The voting period commences after the conclusion of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. The Player of the Year, who receives the Jack Nicklaus Trophy, will be announced by the Tour in December. Additionally, the Tour recognizes a Rookie of the Year and in select years, a Comeback Player of the Year, with both of those awards also being determined by a vote among Tour members. Other season-ending honours to be announced by the PGA Tour include the Arnold Palmer Award for the leading money-winner and the Byron Nelson Award, presented to the player with the lowest adjusted scoring average (minimum of 50 official rounds).
Since 1937, the Vardon Trophy, named by The PGA of America in honour of famed British golfer Harry Vardon, is awarded annually to the touring professional with the lowest adjusted scoring average. It is based on a minimum of 60 rounds, with no incomplete rounds, in events co-sponsored or designated by the PGA Tour. The adjusted score is computed from the average score of the field at each event.
