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Donald cites daughter as catalyst for world No. 1 form

Luke Donald has finished in the top ten in his last nine outings © Getty Images

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Luke Donald usurped Lee Westwood as the greatest golfer on the planet on Sunday, and then credited his one-year-old daughter Elle as the inspiration behind his phenomenal run of form.

Donald edged out Westwood in the most dramatic of circumstances to move to world No. 1, defeating his compatriot in a play-off to lift the PGA Championship. It was just rewards for a fine start to 2011, which has undoubtedly seen Donald become the world's form player.

Victory at Wentworth adds to titles in the WGC Match Play and the World Match Play, and he has finished in the top ten in 13 of his last 14 events. The only thing eluding Donald is a maiden major title, although a fourth-placed finish at the Masters was no disgrace.

Success has coincided with the birth of his first child, born last year, and Donald admits baby Elle has been crucial to the development of his game.

"My golf has only gone from strength to strength, it's been a real blessing to become a father," he said. "It's given me a lot more responsibility. I've grown up and become a better person.

"She really is an inspiration to me, just watching her grow, learning new skills, adapting, becoming better at what she is. That's what I'm trying to do at golf, too.

"Just every day, try to figure out a way to improve. She does that every day."

The US Open at Congressional is the next big date on Donald's radar in two weeks' time, and he insists major titles will always be more important than individual rankings.

"It's obviously a special accomplishment, something I'll remember forever," Donald said. "It's something that will be a great story when I'm an old man telling my grandkids that I was once the best player in the world at golf. It's a little surreal.

"I'm not going to lie, it feels fantastic, but winning is always at the top of the list. Winning is what got me there. A big win at the Match Play and a big win here. I've still got a lot of work to do and a lot of titles to pick up."

World Rankings
1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Lee Westwood (ENG), 3. Martin Kaymer (GER), 4. Phil Mickelson, (USA), 5. Graeme McDowell, (NIR), 6. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 7. Matt Kuchar (USA), 8. Steve Stricker (USA), 9. Paul Casey (ENG), 10. Charl Schwartzel (RSA), 11. Bubba Watson (USA), 12. Ian Poulter (ENG), 13. Tiger Woods (USA), 14. Dustin Johnson (USA), 15. Nick Watney (USA), 16. KJ Choi (Kor) 17. Jim Furyk (USA), 18. Hunter Mahan (USA), 19. Jason Day (AUS), 20. Francesco Molinari (ITA)

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