Golf: Donald hits birdie hat-trick

DUBAI: Luke Donald weaved his own brand of desert magic at the Dubai World Championship to get back on track in his battle with Rory McIlroy for European number one honours. World number one Donald struggled to a level-par opening round of 72 but a birdie hat-trick from the 16th a day later meant he followed up with an improved 68 and a four-under tally of 140. “Just in terms of my mental approach for the next couple of days, that was huge,” said Donald. “To make three birdies in a row will hopefully make the next two days a little easier.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2011.