Donald wins PGA playoff to reclaim top ranking

Britain's Luke Donald sank a six-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole Sunday to win a four-man playoff at the US PGA Transitions Championship and reclaim the World No. 1 ranking. Donald had surrendered the top spot to Rory McIlroy just two weeks ago but ended the Northern Ireland prodigy's reign by capturing the $990,000 crown in the $5.5 million event, the Englishman's final tuneup for next month's Masters. Hoping to finally capture his elusive first major title at Augusta National next month, Donald took his tension-packed triumph in stride. "It's another step in the right direction to winning majors," Donald said. "This is prefect preparation -- two weeks off now and looking toward Augusta." Donald, South Korean rookie Bae Sang-Moon and Americans Jim Furyk and Robert Garrigus finished 72 holes deadlocked for the lead at 13-under par 271 at the Innisbrook resort's Copperhead course. The playoff took place on the par-4 18th hole, with Donald the only player to find the dense rough off the tee. Donald blasted his approach six feet from the hole but Garrigus put his second shot only seven feet from the cup. After Bae and Furyk missed long birdie putts, Garrigus pushed his birdie bid just left of the cup, setting the stage for Donald's dramatic winning birdie putt that dethroned McIlroy. "I certainly was a lot more nervous the first time trying to get to No. 1," Donald said. "This time I was just focused on winning the tournament and it all worked out."