• WGC-Cadillac Championship

'Struggling' Donald looking to get back on track

Luke Donald is back on course after losing the world No. 1 ranking © Getty Images

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Ahead of the WGC-Cadillac Championship, Luke Donald has conceded he is struggling for form - having been knocked off the world No. 1 spot by Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy surged to the top of the rankings on the back of a brilliant run of form, capped by a superb win at the Honda Classic. The Ulsterman has been aided by the form of Donald who has had a tough start to the year.

Donald will get the chance to assess McIlroy's game close up after being pulled out in the same group as the world No. 1 and Lee Westwood for the opening two rounds at the Blue Monster.

Donald feels he is progressing, but knows he needs to find some form if he is to stand a chance of getting back on top.

"I am always working hard and looking forward to another week and trying to find a bit of form and get back in a position to win some tournaments," Donald said. "It has been a slow start to the year, but it is not something I am overly concerned with. I feel like I am progressing.

"I have been working on a few improvements to my swing and I have maybe not had the same intensity to my short game. My game has always been about working from the hole backwards. I have been ramping up the work on my short game, putting, bunker play, and I hope that will start to show in my results."

Commenting on the form of McIlroy, Donald said: "Rory has had a tremendous run, he's been extremely consistent and the win last week was impressive. I have struggled and that is the way the rankings work. If you struggle a bit you drop down.

"Rory is playing extremely well and the guy with the most confidence. He is out there every week, playing well and his confidence must be sky high."

Donald did not play last week and he claims the decision was made to ensure he is in top shape for the majors, including the Masters at Augusta next month.

He said: "It is purely down to schedule, I played four weeks in a row a couple of times last year and felt a bit burnt out by the fourth week. This year I want to be ready for the big tournaments, this one and especially in four weeks (the Masters)."

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