Tour Report: No. 9: Luke Donald

To preview the 2013 PGA TOUR season, PGATOUR.COM is counting down the Top 100 Players to Watch in 2013. For an archive page with the top 100 players and for an explanation on how the list was compiled, click here.

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2013 PREVIEW: He’s ticked off nearly all the boxes. No. 1 in the world? Check. Money titles on both sides of the Atlantic? Check. So what is left for Luke Donald to do in 2013? How about win a major? The steady Brit certainly has the tools and the temperament.

2012 DEFINING MOMENT: Donald picked up his fifth PGA TOUR title when he closed with a 66 to come from three strokes off the pace and win a four-man playoff at the Transitions Championship. He also successfully defending his title at the BMW Championship and picking up his seventh international win at the Dunlop Phoenix. Still, winning the Ryder Cup in his adopted hometown of Chicago had to be especially satisfying — particularly as the leadoff man on that historic Sunday where he beat Bubba Watson and evened his record at 2-2 for the week. –- Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: I’m a little puzzled as to why he hasn’t won a major. Great ball-striker, great short game. Bill Haas told me when he struggles with tempo; he tries to visualize Donald’s swing. How’s that for a compliment? Luke is the early favorite to win the BMW as the tournament moves to his home course in Chicago. — Fred Albers, SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio

BOLTON’S FANTASY OUTLOOK: His 16-for-17 season with eight top 10s served as an acceptable answer to an insane 2011. Tumbled to $3.5 million in 2012, but he still owns the firepower to snipe a win and a handful of top fives. Perhaps most underrated is that he continued to drive the ball wonderfully off the tee. While his splits for birdies or better on par 3s and 4s took a hit, he still feasted on the par 5s, ranking 18th. If you’re forced to grab him in the first round — because that’s where he’s going to go anyway — complement him with an American that plays a full schedule on the flip trip of snake drafts. — Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy expert

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2012 QUICK REVIEW

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

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