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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, December 12, 2005

Donald surges for Target win

Associated Press

Donald

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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Luke Donald won the Target World Challenge, shooting an 8-under 64 yesterday to rally from six shots behind and beat European Ryder Cup teammate Darren Clarke by two strokes.

Donald, who celebrated his 28th birthday Wednesday, matched the record for best closing round by a winner in the seven-year history of the event.

No one gave Donald much of a chance, especially the way Clarke was playing.

But he fell apart down the stretch with a bogey on the par-5 16th. Needing a birdie on the 18th to force a playoff, he pulled his approach, and hit his 45-foot birdie putt so badly that he dropped his putter and put hands on hips a few moments after the ball left his blade. He wound up with a three-putt bogey for a 72.

Donald finished at 16-under 272 and won $1.3 million, the largest paycheck of his career.

Michael Campbell and Padraig Harrington shot 73s to tie for third at 276.

Tournament host Tiger Woods had a 73 to tie for 14th at 286.

ELSEWHERE

Lexus Cup: Annika Sorenstam beat Grace Park 2 and 1 and Paula Creamer routed Birdie Kim 7 and 5 to help the International team win eight of 12 singles matches for a 16-8 victory at Singapore.

Australian Masters: Robert Allenby became the first player to win the Australian Open, PGA and Masters in the same season, beating Bubba Watson with a par on the first hole of a playoff at Melbourne, Australia. Allenby closed with a 4-under 68 to match Watson (67) at 17-under 271.

Dunhill Championship: South Africa's Ernie Els won in his second start since missing 4 1/2 months because of a knee injury, closing with a 4-under 68 for a three-stroke victory at Nnelspruit, South Africa. Els had a 14-under 274 total.