MADRID – Luke Donald eagled the 16th hole on Sunday to shoot a 5-under 67 and win the Madrid Masters by a single stroke over playing partner Rhys Davies.
Donald finished at 21-under 267 at Club de Campo and collected his third European Tour victory. The Englishman won twice in 2004 on the European Tour and twice on the PGA Tour, but Donald hadn’t made it to the winner’s circle anywhere since the 2006 Honda Classic on the PGA Tour.
‘It’s definitely a weight off my shoulders,’ said Donald. ‘I felt a little frustrated that I hadn’t won in the last four years. I tried to stay positive today.’
This was also sweet retribution from last week. Donald was tied for the lead last Sunday at the BMW PGA Championship, but double-bogeyed the 17th hole to lose by a stroke.
‘Last week was very disappointing,’ acknowledged Donald. ‘To put it behind me and come out here and win this week, I’m very proud of the way I played. It feels really good.’
Davies, who shared the third-round lead with Donald, shot a 4-under 68 on Sunday. He narrowly missed out on his bid for a second win this year after he titled at the Hassan II Golf Trophy.
Francesco Molinari held a piece of the lead late until Donald’s eagle and a Molinari bogey on 18. The Italian posted a 4-under 68 and finished third at 18-under 270.
Graeme McDowell fired a 7-under 65 and was fourth at minus-17.