• WGC Match Play Championship, Day Five

Donald beats Kaymer to climb to No. 3 in world rankings

Luke Donald cut a relaxed figure throughout the final against Martin Kaymer © Getty Images

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Luke Donald moved to No. 3 in the world rankings after beating Germany's Martin Kaymer 3&2 at the WGC Match Play Championship in Arizona - his first title on American soil for five years.

Donald, who was aiming for his first victory in the United States since 2006, picked up a cheque for £864,838 as he completed a deserved triumph for his sixth professional title.

The Englishman, who entered the contest having played 12 fewer holes than world No. 1 Kaymer, appeared the fresher of the two and immediately grabbed the early momentum by birdying the second hole.

In a match briefly halted on the fourth due to a hailstorm, it was Donald, who came into the match having not trailed in any of his matches all week, that was asking all the questions as he went three up after five.

However, Kaymer showed his battling qualities to hit back before the turn. He took the short sixth with a par and then, after claiming the eighth courtesy of a birdie, a bogey at the ninth was enough to draw him level after Donald recorded an ugly triple-bogey seven.

Unfortunately for the German, he appeared to tire as the match wore on, perhaps as a consequence of his tough matches prior to the final, and Donald raised his level at a crucial time. He birdied the 11th, 12th and 15th and sealed his victory at the par-three 16th.

"I can't describe it - I'm close to tears," he said. "It feels amazing. I've put a lot of work in over the last five years and it's nice to see it pay off. You always have doubts and the wheels were coming off a bit, so the up-and-down on the 10th was huge and to have three birdies in the last six holes was special.

"Hopefully it will open the gates. I'm not a modern-day player because I don't hit it that far and that makes it harder for me, but this is a great win and I hope there are more to come."

Meanwhile in the third place play-off, Matt Kuchar narrowly overcame fellow American Bubba Watson 2&1.

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