Luke Donald wins PGA award and Vardon Trophy

Donald has a chance to top the money lists in the United States and Europe

Britain's Luke Donald has won the PGA player of the year award and the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average on the Tour.

The world number one becomes only the second Englishman, after Nick Faldo in 1990, to clinch the PGA honour.

It comes after the 33-year-old won the PGA Tour money list with victory at the Disney Classic in Florida.

"This was a tremendous year for me. I answered a lot of critics' questions," Donald told BBC Radio 5 live.

Donald has recorded 14 top-10 finishes in 19 PGA Tour starts this year to win the Vardon Trophy for the season's lowest adjusted scoring average.

His average score of 68.86 put him ahead of Americans Webb Simpson (69.25) and Steve Stricker (69.36).

Donald is on course to finish the year as world number one and has has an opportunity to make history as the first player to top the money lists in both the United States and Europe in the same season.

He leads the European Tour money list with £3.34m in earnings, £1.14m clear of Rory McIlroy, with eight tournaments remaining.

The challenge has been made harder by the fact the Hemel Hempstead native is set to miss several events as his wife Diane is expecting their second child in the next fortnight.

A stunning final round in Florida saw Donald hit six successive birdies from the 10th hole to lead by two when he finished. Second-placed Nick O'Hern, Justin Leonard and Kevin Chappell still had three holes to go at that stage but were unable to match Donald's winning mark of 17 under par.

He started the final day's play in Florida in 14th place and dramatically overturned a five-shot deficit to claim the £531,000 cheque. He finished the year with US winnings totalling £4.19m ($6.68m).

"This is one of the most satisfying wins of my career. Everything was on the line. I'm thrilled, over the moon," he said.

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