PGA award for Macc ace Jamie
RYDER Cup hero Jamie Donaldson received a PGA Recognition Award for his outstanding contribution to golf at a PGA fundraising lunch in Manchester.
The 41-year-old, who claimed the winning point for Europe in the 2014 matches against the United States, was the guest of honour in the annual event at the Midland Hotel which raises money for the PGA Benevolent Fund.
Donaldson will be forever remembered for sparking jubilant celebrations with a sublime nine iron to within inches of the flag on the 15th of the PGA Centenary Course to defeat Keegan Bradley 4&3 in the singles at Gleneagles two years ago.
It capped a career highlight to date for the Macclesfield-based player who was off a seven handicap at aged 16 but climbed through the amateur and professional ranks on the back of hard work and dedication.
Along the way he has overcome a career threatening injury and landed the biggest win of his career at the 2013 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, holding off Justin Rose and Thorbjørn Olesen to win by one shot.
The Abu Dhabi triumph came only six months after he broke his European Tour duck with victory in the 2012 Irish Open, where he fired a stunning 66 to win by four strokes at Royal Portrush.
He also won the Thailand Golf Championship at the end of 2014 while he notched three Challenge Tour victories to his name as he was coming through the ranks.
PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “Few people will forget that winning shot to clinch the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. It was a fantastic moment but was richly deserved for all the hard work and dedication Jamie has shown over the years which has seen him rise to the highest levels of the game both as a top amateur and professional.
“We are delighted to present the PGA Recognition Award to Jamie at this annual Manchester lunch which helps raise money for the PGA Benevolent Fund.”