• US Open

I'd swap No. 1 spot for major in a heartbeat - Donald

Luke Donald is desperate for a major title © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: McIlroy hoping to cash in on Tiger absence
  
• News: McDowell sends out warning to 'bombers'
  
• Out of Bounds: Time for a young gun to become a major player
  
• Preview: US Open preview: Stars descend on Capitol Hill
  
• Profile: Luke Donald

Current world No. 1 Luke Donald has admitted he'd happily swap his lofty world ranking for a major championship.

The 33-year-old Englishman will tee off at Congressional on Thursday in the US Open as the highest ranked player in the field, as he looks to become only the second Englishman in 87 years to win the prestigious tournament.

While proud of his current status, Donald concedes he would happily swap his career record with that of Phil Mickelson's - who has never reached higher than No. 2 in the rankings but has four major titles to his name and 47 professional wins (to Donald's nine) around the world.

"In simple terms, being No. 1 means you've outperformed the rest of the golfers in a two-year period," Donald said. "In that regards it's very gratifying to know that you've been more consistent and better over a two-year period.

"But if you ask me if I would swap that for Phil's record, sure, I would love to take his majors and the number of victories he's had.

"But I'll continue to feed off all the good things that have got me to No. 1, and hopefully I can add to my victories, too."

The last reigning world No. 1 not named Tiger Woods to win a major championship was Fred Couples at The Masters in 1992. Donald, whose record in the US Open is solid but unspectacular, is trying not to put too much pressure on himself to be the man to break that streak.

"It's dangerous to go and expect too much and come to a tournament expecting to win," he said. "But I expect to do what I know I can do. And obviously the goal is always to have a chance on Sunday and to contend.

"I've been doing that a lot lately, and there's no reason why I can't do it this week."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.