• Out of Bounds

Donald sheds 'disease' tag

Luke Donald got that winning feeling again in Madrid © Getty Images

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Four years is a long time to go between victories for a player of Luke Donald's class, but his win at the Madrid Masters allows him to shed an unwanted tag.

After Donald had finished fifth in the Open last year, an article was written coining the phrase 'Luke Donald disease', singling him out as the perfect example of British players who rake in millions but do not win very often. Now that can be consigned to the bin and it could just open the floodgates.

Out of Bounds suggested ahead of the Masters that this could be a big year for Donald, only to see him disappoint at Augusta. He bounced back with a third-place finish at the Verizon Heritage and a runner-up berth in the PGA Championship.

Donald threw away victory in the PGA Championship at Wentworth, as he was beaten by one despite taking a seven at the 17th. That collapse set the alarm bells ringing as Donald has all the talent in the world but has found it difficult to get over the line. So to see him close things out in Madrid takes that monkey off his back and will do wonders for his confidence. It was not just the win, it was the manner of the win that was so impressive as he was under pressure the whole of Sunday and made a vital eagle down the stretch at 16.

The field was not exactly top class in Madrid, but at the level Donald is operating at it is more about mental toughness. Five top-ten finishes in 2010 prior to Madrid prove Donald oozes talent but they also imply that he has a soft underbelly. It can be tough to shake that sort of tag and the longer the losing run goes on, the more the doubts grow in the mind.

Donald found trouble at the business end at Wentworth © Getty Images

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"Last week was disappointing," Donald said of his loss at Wentworth. "But to put it behind me and come out here and win this week, I'm very proud of the way I've played. It feels really good, definitely a weight off my shoulders. I was a little frustrated that I hadn't won in the last four years. To come here and play like I did, make an eagle on 16, it meant a lot to me."

So for Donald to win in Madrid, his first tour title since taking the Honda Classic in 2006, bodes extremely well as we head to what is a key stage in the season. The US Open takes place at Pebble Beach in mid June - followed by the Open at St Andrews in July. Donald has a decent record at Pebble Beach, he has four top-20 finishes in six career appearances, he is solid from tee to green and now knows what it feels like to win again.

With doubts surrounding the well-being of Tiger Woods, the majors have an open look to them and as a top-ten player Donald is a genuine contender. So often he has put himself in contention to challenge at the majors only to falter when the pressure has been turned on. With a win under his belt, the cracks may not open up on the final day.

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