Donald gunning for match play double
Donald captured the WGC-Accenture Match Play title in Arizona in February, never trailing in any of his six matches during the week.
His presence at Finca Cortesin near Marbella means the world’s current top three will all be there; Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer qualified off last season’s European Tour money list. Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, already a winner in his first season on the PGA Tour in America, and Dane Anders Hansen were also added to the line-up leaving only three spaces to be filled — one from Asia, one from Australasia and the other a sponsor’s invite based on the world rankings.
Donald said: “I have had a great start to the year in the States and now I am really looking forward to returning to play in Europe.
“I grew up watching the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth and certainly dreamed of winning it as I watched so many of golf’s legends battle it out over the years.
“I love match play and it seems to suit my style of golf, so to have the possibility to hold both the WGC and the historic Volvo World Match Play Championship in the same year is a great opportunity.
“Obviously having Lee and Martin in what is a fantastic line-up adds some extra spice to the week with the number one spot up for grabs and with the ’champions league’ format I will probably end up playing against several of my Ryder Cup colleagues, which will be fun.”
Vegas commented: “It is my first time to Spain and will be my first professional event in Europe, so add that to the thrill of match play and it will be a very exciting week.”
The players will be divided into eight groups of three, with the top two in each progressing to the knockout stages on Saturday and Sunday.
The first prize of £712,000 (€800,000) is the second highest in Europe behind July’s British Open at Sandwich.
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