PALM HARBOR, Fla. – We’ve all had instances where one or two holes ruin an otherwise stellar round.
As was the case Thursday for Luke Donald, where his 1-under 70 at the Tampa Bay Championship was marred by a few late mistakes.
“I’m extremely disappointed right now,” the defending champion said after his round. “I played just lovely golf for 16 of the 18 holes today.”
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Donald began the day off the 10th tee and played 14 holes in 4 under. He then bogeyed the par-4 sixth hole – his 15th of the day – after his tee ball went left, off the tee into the trees. He chipped out into the fairway and then proceeded to knock it on and two-putt for bogey.
He closed his round with two more bogeys at Nos. 8 and 9 – his 17th and 18th of the day – when he found greenside bunkers at both and failed to get up-and-down.
Donald hit 11 of 13 fairways, 13 of 18 greens and needed 29 putts.
“I just had it really under control and could have been 6 or 7 under with a couple putts and obviously to finish like that, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”
Midway through the first round Donald sits T-14 and is looking for his first PGA Tour win since his playoff victory over Jim Furyk, Robert Garrigus and Sang-Moon Bae in Tampa last year.