Luke Donald: Any Question Who's the Best in the Game of Golf Now?

Today Luke Donald completed his quest. Back four strokes of the lead, Donald reeled off six birdies one the back nine, capped by a 45-foot birdie on the 15th hole.

And with today, Donald left little question as to who is the best in the game of golf. Webb Simpson had a wonderful season. He played great golf. However, he played seven more events than Donald, who only played 19 events on the PGA Tour. Even with a greater number of events and cuts made, Donald still beat him in earnings.

Not only did he beat him overall, the past four days, Donald played with Simpson knowing that he had to finish solo second or better to defeat Simpson and he did it. Donald didn't even need the help of his regular caddy, who was on his honeymoon, to win this week.

With five wins worldwide this year, there's no longer a question who the best player is: Luke Donald. It doesn't matter that he didn't win a major. He won a lot of tournaments, rarely finished outside the top 10, and defied a lack of distance that would seem a tough battle to win.

This year Luke Donald has proven that short game is truly the defining character of a great player. Without that, Donald would be the same struggling pro that he was earlier in his career.

There isn't any real way to argue for anyone else. Keegan Bradley had a great season for a rookie, but two wins, four total top tens, and 18 of 28 for cuts made isn't Player of the Year credentials.

Webb Simpson was close, but didn't have any second or third place finishes to add to his two wins (Donald had two first, second, and third place finishes).

Rory McIlroy didn't play on the PGA Tour, and he didn't do enough on the European Tour either to justify being ranked over Donald.

Simply put, Luke Donald had a spectacular year. The game of golf should hope that Donald keeps this up, because he is an unbelievable ambassador to the game.

Donald's last task to tackle? Winning the Race to Dubai, and the European Order of Merit. He currently holds a $1.3 million edge over Rory McIlroy in that as well (Donald has played only 12 events to McIlroy's 16 as well). Should Donald complete that, with the possibility of another win, this could be one of the greatest years ever played by someone who didn't win a major. Don't forget Donald also won the WGC Match Play title.

There's a list of stats that back up Donald's No. 1 position in the world, but they don't even need to be said. Everyone knows it. Donald's the best, and he proved it today.