Donald has earned chance to shine

While Lee Westwood and Justin Rose have to sit out this week’s United States Open in New York, another English golfer has given himself the perfect opportunity to remind everybody of his ability.

High Wycombe’s Luke Donald turned professional last August following an outstanding amateur career - and chose to jump straight in at the deep end.

Having spent three years at college in Chicago, Donald decided to try to make his name on the American tour.

And while he has not exactly set it alight in the 10 months since, he has also shown he is not out of his league and could well go on to achieve most if not all of the targets he has set himself.

After coming through the cut-throat US Open qualifying tournament last week the 24-year-old is now preparing for his first major championship as a professional.

Nobody is expecting Donald to win it like Tiger Woods did at the 1997 Masters, of course, but it is a week for him to measure himself not just against all the best players in the world, but also against one of the toughest courses he is ever likely to tackle.

One person who will not be surprised to see him shine is Peter McEvoy, captain of the two Walker

Cup sides Donald starred in.

‘‘He’s ready. I expect him to hit the ground running,’’ said McEvoy after Britain and Ireland beat America 15-9 last August to match their record winning margin of Nairn two years earlier.

In Scotland Donald won all his four games. At Sea Island he won three out of four. It made him the most successful player in the event’s history.

Those who had followed Donald on the American college scene already knew that here was a special talent.

He won the National Collegiate Athletic Association individual title in 1999, was a three-time all-American and during his time at Northwestern University broke Woods’ record for the lowest stroke average (70.45) in a college season.

In the seven US Tour events he was permitted last season after switching codes Donald had a best finish of 18th and picked up $80,000 (€85,000).

In most professions not a bad first three months, but it meant he had to go to the tour qualifying school.

A total of 161 players were competing for 35 places, but Donald was under par in all six rounds, finished 18 under and took 23rd place. He had his first foot on the ladder.

In his first tournament this year, the Sony Open in Hawaii, his worst round was a 70, his best 66 and he earned $75,000 (€80,000) for 13th spot.

It remains the highlight of the season so far, but in 16 starts he has missed only five halfway cuts and with three top-25s has winnings of $277,525 (€294,400).

Again an impressive sum to most people of his age, but such is the riches on offer that that does not put him in the top 100 on the money list.

This week counts for the Order of Merit, of course, but more than anything it is a chance for Donald to find out more about himself and his game.

Paired in the first two rounds with Thomas Bjorn and Paul Azinger, he is playing just ahead of Nick Faldo, with Woods and Darren Clarke two groups further back.

He would love nothing more than to force them to take notice.