Luke Donald Can Expect Agony and Ecstasy as Race to Dubai Draws to Conclusion

World No. 1 golfer, Luke Donald, is probably riding on the biggest emotional rollercoaster of his life as he embarks on the last three weeks of this year’s Race to Dubai.

With his father passing away suddenly earlier this month, quickly followed four days later by the birth of his second daughter, it would be understandable if the world’s most consistent golfer decided to put his clubs away for the rest of the year.

Luke is on track to become the first golfer in history to win both the US PGA Tour Money List and the Race to Dubai (or European Tour Money list) in the same year.

Having already secured the US Tour honours last month, all Donald needs to do is maintain his Million Euro advantage over Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy, who occupy second and third places respectively in the standings on the European Tour. 

With such profound personal occurrences, no one could possibly blame Luke for being a little indifferent to the final outcomes of the season.

Whatever happens, he will remain the No. 1 in the Golf World Rankings at the end of the year.

He is the top man on the US Money List, almost certainly the top man in Europe and is being strongly tipped to win US PGA Player of the year too.

These are achievements that many would have said was well beyond the Englishman three years ago, when injury and modest form saw him tumble down the rankings.

The past 12 months, however, have proved to be a momentous for Luke. Four wins, including the WGC World Match-Play and 14 top-10 finishes is outrageously consistent and has proven far too good for the other players, despite not winning a "Major."

It is devastating that Donald's father will not be around to see some of the crowning moments that are sure to await in his career but comfort must be taken from the fact that he saw his son produce one of the best golfing years ever seen.

The next European tour event is the South African Open this week at the Serengeti Golf Club, which Donald misses along with both Kaymer and McIlroy and as such, the tournament will have no bearing at the top of the money list.

It is likely that all will be decided at the final tournament of the year, the Dubai World Championship, which is competed for by the top 60 players in the list and has a prizefund of $7.5 million up for grabs!

As it stands currently, the top players in the race will all be there, Donald included.

He will be joined by "Major winners" Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell, former world No. 1, Lee Westwood, defending champion, Robert Karlsson and 2011 US Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel.

All will be battling for the million dollar first prize, after which, they will be looking forward to a much-deserved break before starting all over again in January.

None more so than Luke Donald, who will show great character and professionalism to see out the season in what have been testing times.

He'll no doubt experience both agony and ecstasy as he draws a line under the season, and such an attitude is a testament to himself and the sport of golf.