Donald aiming for Ryder Cup

Mon., Aug. 23, 2004

Associated Press

AKRON, Ohio — Luke Donald made an early charge in a late bid to make his first Ryder Cup team, but now must wait one week to see if European captain Bernhard Langer finds him worthy of a captain’s pick.

Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Lee Westwood officially qualified for the European team Sunday from standings that were based on world ranking points.

Donald, a 26-year-old Englishman who plays nearly all his golf on the PGA Tour, needed to finish second at the NEC Invitational for a chance to surpass Westwood in the standings. He was tied for second through seven holes, but then bogeyed four of his next five holes to finish at 72 and in a tie for 16th.

Five more players will make the team after the BMW International Open next week in Germany, those coming from standings based on money earned on the European tour. Langer then will have two captain’s picks.

Donald rarely plays in Europe, so he is too far down the money list to have a chance to qualify next week. Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden, still has a chance to earn his way on the team, 13th in the money standings.

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Donald aiming for Ryder Cup

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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