SANDWICH, England – Luke Donald was asked about his form right now. The only problem was that he was referred to as “Lee.”
“It’s Luke,” Donald said sternly, before answering the question.
That seems to be life these days for the unassuming No. 1 ranked player in professional golf. Even those looking for his perspective still don’t quite get it. Others still may not be comfortable with the fact that Donald is No. 1, but he clearly is more comfortable in his own skin now than ever before.
“I think being No. 1 obviously makes everything a little but different,” Donald said. “But I think this is my sixth or seventh week as No. 1, so I’m starting to get used to it slowly and surely.”
Although the obligations of being No. 1 require a big time commitment, they don’t seem to be as much with Donald as they have with other former top-ranked players. Donald knows that, and some of it stems from the fact that he hasn’t yet won a major championship.
If he wins one soon, it’ll validate his No. 1 position and more attention will follow. If he doesn’t ever win one in his career, he’ll still consider his career a success even though others may not.
“Certainly if I didn’t win I would be disappointed,” Donald said. “But it would be a disappointment knowing I gave it my best shot.”
