• Out of Bounds

Endurance as much a part of Donald's success as skill

Luke Donald is No. 1 - in so many ways © Getty Images

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• Profile: Luke Donald

Thousands of words have been, and no doubt will continue to be, written about Luke Donald's memorable 2011. To rise to No. 1 in the world rankings would be a highlight for any player, but to become the first man to win the money list on both the European and PGA Tour in the same season (officially) elevates the campaign to one of the best in the history of the sport.

It is a testament to Donald's quality all year - his four wins and countless top ten finishes.

But it is also a testament to something else, something that will perhaps be overlooked in the rush to highlight Donald's pitch-perfect wedge play, or his calm, pure putting stroke. Donald isn't just the most consistent golfer on tour, he's one of the most resilient.

Donald's twin money list victories are a triumph of skill, but they are also a triumph of work ethic. The reason no-one has done it before is not just because the competition is so strong, but also because it is incredibly difficult to split your time between both tours.

Rory McIlroy, Donald's nearest challenger in Dubai and in the world rankings, has made the transition back to the PGA Tour for 2012. He'll be welcome back on the European Tour every week, but he will have to take on Donald's gruelling schedule if he is to play enough events to contend so strongly in the Race to Dubai once again.

Indeed, it is McIlroy that perhaps best illustrates how hard Donald has worked this year. The Northern Irishman was clearly under the weather in Dubai, an inevitable victim of the effects of flying all across Asia to play in the late-season swing. Donald has collected similar air miles over the course of the year and only after McIlroy's chance of victory had gone at the Dubai World Championship was he finally able to relax.

"It's very strange, because I looked at the leaderboard on 13, and saw that I couldn't see Rory's name on there, and the leaders were playing well, and at that point, I kind of knew that I had made history, and the last six holes were kind of surreal," Donald said on Sunday. "The pressure went away. I was able to just enjoy myself, have a few smiles, and enjoy the walk. I guess that's what it's all about."

Donald is already eyeing the next challenge, which is to win a major (or two) in 2012. To do that he needs to improve further, a scary thought for his rivals.

"Well, there's always ways to improve," the 34-year-old noted. "I think that's the beauty of our sport, and life. You can always find ways to better yourself.

"You know, I'll continue to try and do that. I made pretty big leaps this year with my driving. My statistics in terms of hitting fairways and hitting greens were a lot better this year, but they certainly weren't the best of anyone. I can improve that. I can improve other statistics.

"I look very closely at the statistics and figure out where there are areas that I can improve. You know, I'll be working on that in the off season."

But it's that schedule that will once again prove key. And, having achieved the previously unachieved once already - he will be chasing the same goal once again in 2012, albeit with a few concessions.

"The only area that I felt like I maybe didn't manage quite so well in 2011 was at the US Open," he said. "I felt like I was drained a little bit. I felt like I had played a little bit too much leading up to that.

"But I've looked at my schedule for next year, and there will be a little bit more time off before the majors so I can feel like I'm extremely rested and ready to go for those events.

"But to be honest, my schedule will be very, very similar to this year. It will be a spread between both tours and now I've done it once; I'll be looking to try and do what I did this year again next year."

Tiger Woods changed the game with his power and approach to the game. Donald, in some quarters, has been touted as golf's saviour against the sort of big-hitting automatons that have sprung up as a natural result of Woods' example.

Far from being scared of that association, Donald embraces it. He fervently believes the changes he has made over the last 18 months - from physical fitness to his mental approach - have chartered new territory.

"I think people are taking notice of what I've done and how I've done it, and people will maybe change the way they approach practise, yes," Donald said bullishly.

On the range they might follow his example, but perhaps also in the schedule. They may find keeping up with the latter is the harder part.

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