Rolex Series

Big birds send Donaldson flying

Jamie Donaldson carded three eagles in a single round for just the second time in his European Tour career on day two of the 2021 BMW PGA Championship.

Jamie Donaldson

The Welshman had previously achieved the feat in the final round of the Trophée Hassan II in 2012, the same year in which he made two eagles in the first round here at Wentworth Golf Club.

This year in round two, he holed out from 122 yards on the par four seventh, made a 19 footer on the par five 12th and put a stunning second to nine feet on the par five 17th to become the first player to register a hat-trick in this event since Peter Fowler in 2003.

That helped him to a 66 and a nine under par total as he looks to make his first win since 2014 a Rolex Series victory.

"It's crazy, golf, sometimes," he said. "Started off quite slow. Bogeyed the first and had two great up-and-downs on the third and fourth. Could have been easily three over after four then managed to find momentum.

"To have three eagles in a round, you never know what's coming in golf. You have to keep grinding and pushing and suddenly you've made three eagles and shot 66 and it's just crazy.

"I've struggled to make three in a year, to be honest, never mind three in 12 holes or whatever it was. Yeah, it's crazy."

Donaldson has had a very consistent 2021 Race to Dubai, missing just four cuts in 16 starts, but is looking forward to contending over the weekend in one of the biggest events of the season.

"It will be great," he said. "There's a load of good players up there. It's a very challenging golf course now and you have to go out there and play good golf.

"I've not played brilliant in the bigger events this year so it's nice to get going this week and be in position."

Read next