Luke Donald has vowed not to be unfocused by his individual duel with Webb Simpson in Florida. The pair has set up the prospect of a fascinating end to the PGA Tour money list race this weekend. But playing partner Simpson, who moved £229,000 ahead by coming second in Georgia last weekend, was only two behind - and neither had a bogey all day on the Palm Course at the Disney World resort.
If Donald wins the American would have to be runner-up on his own to claim the crown, while if Donald is solo second or in a two-way tie, Simpson would miss out if he is lower than eighth or 21st correspondingly.
After making a late decision to play - as did Simpson - Donald went to the turn in 32 with birdies on the 11th, 12th, 14th and 17th.He then picked up further shots at the first and third and with six final pars was part of a seven-way tie with Americans Gary Woodland, James Driscoll, Scott Stallings and Derek Lamely, Australian Nathan Green and Indian Arjun Atwal.
Simpson matched Donald's birdies at the 11th and 14th, the two par fives on the back nine, and moved closer into contention on the fifth and seventh. Donald said:For most of the round I was pretty solid. A couple of loose shots at the end, but it weren’t that easy out there - I think the wind was strong sufficient to make it a little bit tricky with club selection.
The fairways are soft and you're not going to get much roll, so it's playing as long as it could be.Webb asked when I was having my off-season. I said it was going to be this week! There was some light-hearted banter out there, but that's fine.
Not only do I have to beat Webb, I have to beat the rest of the field - I have to keep my eye on everyone.But that's always the goal. Every time I tee it up I'm trying to win the event.It was an unacceptable day for the other English players in the field. Brian Davis shot 74 and Justin Rose 75 after three bogeys in his last four holes.Americans Scott Gutschewski, William McGirt, Kris Blanks, Paul Stankowski and Ben Martin, Australian Steven Bowditch and South Korea's Bio Kim were a shot off the pace after gap with 67s.