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Prolific Donald picks up two PGA accolades

Luke Donald won when he needed to in Florida © Getty Images

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World No. 1 Luke Donald has been named player of the year by the Professional Golfers' Association of America.

Donald, whose victory last weekend at the Children's Miracle Network Classic enabled him to secure the PGA Tour money list crown, again pipped American Webb Simpson to the award - after narrowly trumphing him on the points-based criteria.

The points Donald accrued for finishing top of the money list ultimately ensured he surpassed Simpson, who also won twice on the PGA Tour in 2011. Donald finished the season with 60 points, while Simpson had 56.

Another American, Nick Watney, was third with 48 points.

Donald becomes the first Englishman in 21 years to win the award, after Sir Nick Faldo triumphed in 1990. It remains to be seen whether Donald will be voted PGA Player of the Year by his peers, however, with voting ballots set to be distributed next month.

"It was pretty clear to me that from what everyone thought, I needed to win this week to be able to sway some people's votes," Donald said on Sunday. "In terms of Player of the Year, obviously I needed to win - at the very least to win the money list.

"To be able to do that, you know, it's special when it really mattered. I think as golfers, it's nice to win, but much more pleasing when things really mean something a little bit extra."

Rivals rushed to pay tribute to the 33-year-old after his win at the Disney resort, perhaps suggesting he could yet add another personal accolade to what has been a landmark year.

"I just never thought it was possible for someone other than Tiger Woods to be No. 1 in the world, not in my career," former Masters champion Trevor Immelman said. "But becoming No. 1 is an incredible achievement."

Donald has also been confirmed as the winner of the 2011 Vardon Trophy, awarded to the player with lowest scoring average over the entire season on the PGA Tour.

The second Englishman to win the title since Harry Cooper in the first year of its existence, 1937, Donald's final total of 68.89 was nearly half-a-shot a round lower than Simpson (69.25) in second.

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