Took a golf scholarship at Northwestern University in Chicago, studying art theory and practice. Won the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship in 1999, beating Tiger Woods’ scoring record. Also become the first amateur to win the Chicago Open in 2000. Won the Haskins Award in 1999 as the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the United States.

Turned professional in 2001, making his debut at the Reno-Taho Open on the PGA TOUR after receiving sponsors invite. Finished 23^rd at Qualifying School to earn his PGA TOUR card for the following season.

Won his maiden title in his rookie year at the 2002 Southern Farm Bureau Classic, which was shortened to 54 holes due to weather. Claimed his maiden DP World Tour title two years later at the 2004 Scandinavian Masters and won his second a month later at the Omega European Masters.

Made his Ryder Cup debut in 2004 after receiving a Captain’s Pick from Bernhard Langer, returning two and a half points from four matches. A few weeks later, representing England, he partnered Paul Casey to victory at the WGC-World Cup.

Moved into the Top Ten on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in 2006 after winning his second PGA TOUR title at the Honda Classic. Later that year he made his second appearance for Europe at the Ryder Cup, ending the week with a perfect record of three wins from three matches.

Claimed a third DP World Tour title at the 2010 Madrid Masters and was Europe’s joint-top points scorer later that year in his third Ryder Cup appearance.

Ascended to the top of the game in 2011 as he rose to the rank of World Number One. Started the year with a defeat of Martin Kaymer 3&2 in the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Missed out on moving to World Number One at the Volvo World Match Play as he lost 2&1 to Ian Poulter in the final, but a fortnight later he beat then-World Number One Lee Westwood in a play-off at the BMW PGA Championship to leapfrog his compatriot and become the third Englishman to reach Number One in the world. Won on his first start as World Number One at the Barclays Scottish Open for his sixth DP World Tour title.

Won his fourth PGA TOUR title later that year at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, finishing top of the PGA TOUR’s Money List for 2011. Became the first golfer in history to win the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic as he also won the Race to Dubai that season. Was also awarded the Vardon Trophy, Byron Nelson Award, PGA Player of the Year Award, PGA TOUR Player of the Year Award, DP World Tour Golfer of the Year and DP World Tour Players’ Player of the Year.

Lost the ranking of World Number One to Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman won the 2012 Honda Classic, but regained it two weeks later as he won the Transitions Championship – his fifth PGA TOUR victory.

Awarded Honorary Life Membership of the DP World Tour in 2012, and celebrated further success that same week as he retained his BMW PGA Championship title, becoming just the third player in history to successful defend at Wentworth – returning to the rank of World Number One for a fourth time.

Made his fourth and final Ryder Cup appearance as a player in 2012 and was sent out to lead Europe’s comeback in the first match of the Sunday Singles as his side looked to overturn a four-point deficit. Defeated Bubba Watson 2&1 as he and his teammates performed the Miracle at Medinah, giving him a perfect Ryder Cup record of four wins from four appearances for Europe.

Hosted the British Masters at The Grove in 2016.

Named as one of Thomas Bjørn’s Vice Captains for the 2018 Ryder Cup, a position he was also appointed to for 2021.

Appointed as Europe’s Captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup, captaining his side to a 16½ - 11½ victory at Marco Simone. During the winner’s press conference, members of his team chanted “two more years”, and he would go on to retain the role becoming the first European to repeat his captaincy since Bernard Gallacher in 1993. Donald then led his side to their first away victory since the win he was a part of at Medinah 13 years prior, joining Tony Jacklin as the only captains to lead Europe to home and away successes.