Donald bid up and running

Donald: Three shots back after solid first round

Luke Donald made a solid start to his bid to claim the world number one spot as he shot a first round of 67 at The Heritage.

The Englishman, who is currently third in the world, can take over at the top of the rankings with victory at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

He started at the 10th hole and was on level par after his first nine before racking up four birdies during the second half of the round to finish four under.

Donald finished the day in a tie for ninth place, just three shots behind first-round leader Garrett Willis.

The 37-year-old American made a fine start to his round, carding six straight birdies between the second and seventh holes.

He picked up three more shots on the back nine, but his charge was checked by bogeys at nine and 11 as he ended the day with a one-shot lead.

Willis had considered switching to a belly putter but eventually chose to stick with his conventional club.

Old Faithful

“I said (to my caddie), ‘You know what, go back to the car and get ‘Old Faithful’. I can’t pull the trigger’.

“I’ve been having 31, 32, 33 putts a round, which is leading to a lot of missed cuts. And this is the week I’m going to break away, I’m going to do it, I’m going to switch.

“I say that almost every week, but I don’t have the guts enough to do it. Luckily it paid off.”

A chasing group of four – Chad Campbell, Tim Herron, Arjun Atwal and Mark Bettencourt – are hot on Willis’ heels at six under.

Camilo Villegas of Colombia is one of three players tied for third at five under after picking up an amazing eagle at the par-five fifth which saw him chip in from 43 feet.

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell recorded a round of 68 to sit on three under along with Englishman Brian Davis, who missed out on this title last year after calling a foul on himself during a play-off.

Ian Poulter will begin the second round on two under after shooting five birdies and three bogeys in his round of 69.