Luke Donald Leads British Invasion At Nedbank Challenge

Apr 11, 2014; Augusta, GA, USA; Luke Donald hits from a bunker on the 10th hole during the second round of the 2014 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a while since 34 year-old Luke Donald has won on the European Tour, but the former world number one hangs on to a one-shot lead at the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City South Africa. Donald shot a three under par 67 at the Gary Player Country Club golf course on Saturday but needed a birdie at the 18th hole to stay ahead of a hard-charging Danny Willett.

It’s a British Invasion that is taking over in South Africa, and the tournament comes down to Luke Donald, Danny Willett, and first-round leader, Ross Fisher. Fisher is alone in third place, and has a three-shot lead over fourth place, now held by German, Marcel Siem, Fisher is three shots off the pace at ten under par.

More from Pro Golf Now

Donald struggled down the stretch, with his first bogey since Thursday coming at the 13th hole, and a second on the 17th. With bookend birdies on 10 and 18, he was able to take the lead into tomorrow’s finale’.

"Donald said: “I’m pretty pleased with the score. I could have played a little bit more solid on the back nine, but to be honest, around this course, with a lead, shooting 69, that’s kind of what the game plan was, to go out and shoot a low round and keep myself ahead and in position for tomorrow.“I did that and felt pretty calm out there, and it was nice to finish with a three.”"

The big mover on the nearly 8000 yard Gary Player layout was Danny Willett. The 27 year-old Brit who played his collegiate golf at Jacksonville State fired a seven under par on Saturday to get himself in the last group on Sunday.

Willett, also made his first bogey since Thursday on the difficult 13th hole, but failed to make one more birdie at 18 to get a piece of the lead.

First-round leader, Ross Fisher couldn’t get much of anything going on Moving Day. He carded a two under 70 but goes into Sunday with a chance to win. He will need to make some more birdies on Sunday if he wants a chance to win the first Race To Dubai tournament of the 2015 season.

"The 34 year old said: “Tomorrow is going to be a big day. I just need to go out and play how I’ve been playing the first three days and how I putted on the first day.“If I do that, I feel like I’ve got a really good chance of winning it.”"

Marcel Siem holds down fourth place, with local favorite, Louis Oosthuizen, and Thailand’s Tongchai Jaidee tied for fifth place. I think there are too many shots to make up for anyone other than the Brits at the top. I don’t expect that all three will have a bad day on Sunday, and let someone else get to the top.

Luke Donald has deserted his effort to change his golf swing, and has went back to what worked in the past. Donald is not one of the long hitters on either of the tours, but has an excellent short game, and can putt. Many players are wining without needing to bomb 320 yard drives on every hole.

The Gary Player Country Club is the longest course on the European Tour, and the short-knocker finds himself with the third round lead.

"Donald added: “I’m excited to be in that position again. That’s why we work hard and that’s why we practice so much, and I’m excited for the challenge tomorrow.“It will be nice playing with some of my compatriots, and we’ll have some fun out there.”"

Source: EuropeanTour.com

Home/European tour