Luke out as Tiger roars to US Open victory
RBS ambassador Luke Donald was forced to withdraw from the US Open at Torrey Pines with a wrist injury – less than 48 hours after challenging for the lead.
RBS ambassador Luke Donald was forced to withdraw from the US Open at Torrey Pines with a wrist injury – less than 48 hours after challenging for the lead.
Consecutive level-par rounds of 71 had given the Englishman hope of a best-ever finish at the second Major of the season – after 10 holes of his second round, he was one shot off the lead.
However, his brave bid ended on the 15th tee of his final round. "Luke had a problem with his left wrist all week, it had been feeling sore right from the start and when he teed off on the 15th he just felt something go," said brother and caddie, Christian Donald.
"He immediately alerted tournament officials and told them that he didn't think he could go on. He is not sure exactly what the problem is."
Although the injury finally ended Luke's hopes, it was a disappointing 77 on the Saturday that had put him out of contention. The 30-year-old has now never finished better than 12th in five US Open appearances, including a missed cut last year at Oakmont.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods hailed his dramatic victory as the greatest achievement of his illustrious career after overcoming knee problems to take his 14th Major title.
Playing his first tournament in nine weeks after undergoing knee surgery two days after a second-place finish at the Masters, Woods battled the pain to emerge victorious from a memorable play-off against Rocco Mediate, which went into sudden death after 18 extra holes at Torrey Pines.
"I think this is probably the best ever," said Woods, who birdied the 18th hole on Sunday and Monday to keep his title hopes alive and rob compatriot Mediate of victory.
England's Lee Westwood finished third at level par after missing a tricky 20-foot putt which would have seen him join Mediate and Woods in the play-off.