• Dubai World Championship

McIlroy may have got to me - Donald

ESPN staff
December 8, 2011
Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy are battling it out for the Race to Dubai © PA Photos
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Luke Donald hinted he may have allowed the occasion get to him after he fell behind Race to Dubai rival Rory McIlroy on day one of the Dubai World Championship.

Donald is aiming to become the first man to finish on top of both the European and PGA Tour money lists this week, and only McIlroy can stop him achieving that feat. McIlroy must win the Dubai World Championship and hope Donald finishes outside the top nine.

That scenario did not look very likely when Donald started strongly on Thursday, but the world No. 1 suddenly lost rhythm with his driver, resulting in three quick bogeys. He finished the day six strokes behind McIlroy, who is only two shots short of overall leader Peter Hanson.

Asked if the unique one-on-one situation had played a part, Donald seemed to confess that McIlroy was on his mind.

"It's hard playing with Rory," Donald told Sky Sports News. "It always feels like a bit of a match play scenario. The goal is to concentrate on myself, do what I can do to win this tournament."

The sight of Donald struggling for accuracy off the tee was an unusual one, given the fact he has been the most accurate driver on the European Tour this year. He insists he will not panic during the second round though, claiming he just needs to play his way back into form.

"I need to keep picking good targets and sticking to it," Donald said. "I did that on the last few holes and hit some nice iron shots. I'll work on it on the range and find the feeling, and then get stuck in tomorrow."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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