• PGA Tour

Majorless Donald deserves No. 1 ranking - McIlroy

ESPN staff
December 13, 2011
Rory McIlroy says Luke Donald has fully earned the right to be hailed as the world's No. 1 golfer © Getty Images
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Rory McIlroy has lavished praise on Luke Donald after becoming the first man to top the money lists on the European and PGA Tours, insisting the world No. 1 fully deserves his success after an "incredible year".

Donald reaffirmed his place as world No. 1 by finishing third at the Dubai World Championship on Sunday to become the first player to win the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic.

With a major title missing from his impressive CV, some have questioned whether Donald should be the name everybody is striving to catch in the standings. However, US Open champion McIlroy - who needed to win the tournament to have any chance of overhauling Donald in the Race to Dubai - has rubbished those claims, preferring to commend his rival for his achievements.

"Luke's had an incredible year and I hope he now gets the recognition he deserves," McIlroy told the Daily Mirror. "From within the golfing family he'll receive a lot of applause for what he's done this year.

"But, unfortunately, maybe people outside the golfing world think that even though he's won four times this year, there will always be that question of: 'Is he the real No.1 because he's not got a major?'

"He deserves it all. He played great all year and he deserves to be No. 1 in the world and deserved to win both money lists."

Sergio Garcia, who finished tied 11th in Dubai, added: "Winning on both continents is simply amazing. No-one has ever done it and you can't say any more than that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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