“Invincible” Donald sparkles at wet and windy Wentworth

(Reuters) - World number two Luke Donald said he felt “invincible” after a seven-under-par 64 gave him the lead midway through the first round of the PGA Championship at Wentworth on Thursday.

The Briton opened up a two-stroke lead over 18-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero, whose 66 included birdies at three of the four par-threes, while Briton Ross McGowan carded a 68 and veteran Colin Montgomerie was among a host of players on 69.

World number one Lee Westwood, under pressure to retain top spot from Donald and third-ranked German Martin Kaymer, shot a 72 in damp and blustery conditions which made good scoring difficult at the European Tour’s flagship event.

Donald realised he was in top form the moment he hit his approach at the first hole, saying he knew it was going to be his day.

“I guess you feel a little bit invincible. Everything is positive around you,” the Englishman told reporters after equalling his lowest round on the tour.

“That was probably one of the best rounds I’ve ever played,” added Donald who has finished in the top 10 in all but one of the nine events he has played this season on the U.S. and European tours.

The 33-year-old was tied second last year at Wentworth and could have won but for a rare errant tee shot on the par-five 17th which he said had been difficult to erase from his memory.

“It’s hard to block stuff like that out sometimes. But I was hitting the driver great today,” said Donald.

Donald, who is often called ‘Mr Plod’ for the careful manner in which he plots his way around the golf course in contrast to some of the game’s longer hitters, said his opening round at the iconic West Course was a rare delight.

“To pretty much have total control of the golf ball doesn’t happen very often but that’s how I felt today,” he said.

After his fine start in tough conditions, the Ryder Cup player said he fancied his chances if the weather stayed the same.

“There are guys that don’t like the bad weather or don’t have the talent to compete in it. I think it makes the field a little bit smaller in terms of people that have the ability to win. There’s no quitting out there,” said Donald.

Former Ryder Cup captain and eight-times European number one Montgomerie said he thought that breaking 70 was a good effort in the gusting winds.

“Some of the shots you hit, they just don’t go anywhere. They hit a brick wall of wind and nothing much happens. So anybody today I think that breaks 70 has had a good day out and I’m one of them,” said the 47-year-old Briton.

“It’s just a very difficult golf course now,” added the triple PGA winner.

Donald summed up the conditions when discussing the scores of his playing partners.

“Simon (Khan, last year’s champion) and Graeme (McDowell, U.S. Open winner and world number five) didn’t look like they were playing that badly ... it was tricky,” said the Englishman.

Khan finished on five-over 76 and McDowell posted a 75 while former Ryder Cup player Paul McGinley toiled to an 80 and Briton Nick Dougherty an 82.



Another leading player to struggle was sixth-ranked Rory McIlroy (76).

World number seven and U.S. Masters winner Charl Schwartzel, still out on the course, returned two double bogeys in the first five holes before bogeying six, seven, eight and nine.