Classy Luke is crowned the king of the castle
WORLD No1 Luke Donald warmed up for this week’s Open by claiming the Scottish Open title but he won’t be joined at Sandwich by Colin Montgomerie who isn’t in contention to win the famous Claret Jug for the first time since 1989.
Donald (below) completed his preparations for St George’s by mounting a comeback from four behind at the start of the day. The Englishman narrowed that to one by completing a second-round 67, then, with the tournament cut to 54 holes, he closed with a 63 to finish four clear of the field on 19 under par.
Montgomerie, meanwhile, needed a top five finish at Castle Stuart to ensure his presence at the Open for a 22nd year in a row. He briefly held a share of the lead when he birdied the par-five sixth. However, a double-bogey on the short 11th not only cost him a shot at victory in the Highlands but also an opportunity to seal his Open place.
“It was going well and then I sort of ran out of puff,” said the 48-year-old former Ryder Cup captain.
“It was always too soon, too short. So there you go. A week off next week.”