Donald still in Masters after DQ scare

WORLD No. 1 Luke Donald of Britain remained in the hunt for his first Major title on Thursday at the Masters after an inquiry into what was wrongly feared to be an incorrectly signed scorecard.

The 34- year- old Englishman fired a three-over 75 in the opening round of the year’s first Major at Augusta National Golf Club, eight strokes off the pace set by another Englishman, World No. 3 Lee Westwood.

The concern was that Donald had signed for a birdie at the par-4 fifth hole when he in fact took a bogey on the hole. Signing an incorrect scorecard would have resulted in disqualification.

Donald had a birdie posted for his score on the hole after detailing how he suffered a three-putt bogey on the hole.

A smudge on the fax copy of his card caused those who post Donald’s score to incorrectly trim two strokes off his score for the hole and thereby the round.

But after an inquiry by Augusta National officials, the club issued a statement on the matter, putting the issue to rest.

“Mr. Donald signed for a correct score of 3-over 75, including a bogey-5 on the fifth hole,” the statement said. “Due to administrative error, an incorrect score was entered into our scoring system.”

Donald’s wife Diane posted a Twitter message of relief, saying: “Just got off the phone with Luke, NOT disqualified. Thank goodness.” — AFP