The Value of the Euro: European Golfers Dominate Rankings after Accenture

Englishman Luke Donald put together a week of golf in the desert at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship that every golfer in the world would kill for. And other Europeans are thanking him as well.

Continuing on a whirlwind through the desert, Donald put away the newly-minted No. 1 player in the world and German Martin Kaymer 3-and-2 to capture the victory at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, AZ.

Kaymer, who will vault to the top of the world golf rankings by virtue of his victory over American Bubba Watson in the semifinals, was able to keep up with Donald on the front nine, with the match all square heading to the 10th hole.

However, Donald captured the next two holes and put the match away with his birdie on the 15th, and after halving the 16th, Donald walked away with a check for $1.4 million and the world No. 3 ranking.

When the new rankings come out next week, Kaymer will be in the top spot, followed by Englishman Lee Westwood, Donald and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell.

It marks the first time since March 1992 that Europeans have claimed the top four spots and the first time that Tiger Woods has been out of the top four since that time as well.

The day started out in ominous fashion, as freezing temperatures from an approaching cold front swept over the Dove Mountain course, and snow flurries were even in vogue.

Donald shook off the biting cold and got off to a hot start, jumping off to a three-hole edge after five. However, Mother Nature decided the cold weather wasn’t enough, and Dove Mountain was hit with a hailstorm, sending the players scrambling for cover.

By the time play resumed, Donald had cooled, and Kaymer took advantage, eventually pulling back to all square with his birdie on the par-5 eighth. Donald helped out by butchering the ninth.

The back nine, however, was vintage Donald. As had been seen all week long, Donald went on the attack, and Kaymer was left shaking in his quake, much like Charlie Hoffman, Edoardo Molinari, teenager Matteo Manassero, Ryan Moore and Matt Kuchar.

Donald needed just 89 holes in six rounds of golf, never once seeing the 18th hole.

"It couldn't have gone any better—not to get to the 18th hole in any match this week and pretty much go through reasonably stress-free," Donald told PGATour.com."I played solid this week. It's nice to get the victory."

Solid is a complete understatement. Donald completely destroyed his opposition on his way to victory.

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