Luke Donald (AP-Yonhap News)
PALM HARBOR, Florida (AP) ― Luke Donald returned to No. 1 in the world the same way he got there the first time.
Donald rallied from a three-shot deficit Sunday at the Transitions with a 5-under 66, then won a four-man playoff on the first extra hole with a shot out of the rough to 6 feet and a birdie putt that curled in the left side of the cup.
He gave a big uppercut with his right fist to celebrate the end of a wild day at Innisbrook ― and a devastating finish for Ernie Els.
Els was among eight players who were tied for the lead at some point in the final round, and he had a one-shot lead going into the closing stretch known as the “Snake Pit” at the Copperhead course.
The Big Easy missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the 16th, and then badly missed a 4-foot par putt on the 18th hole that caused him to miss the playoff by one shot.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
