Can Donald break his duck in the Majors at the Masters?

Donald is ready to win his first Major

Tiger Woods once dismissed Luke Donald on the eve of the 2005 US Open at Pinehurst as a plodder. Whether the words of the former world number one were a show of disrespect deliberately using British slang or a cutting American appraisal of the Englishman’s lack of consistency remains open to debate. However, one thing is certain; both interpretations are now out of date. The only plodding Donald has done in recent months is up the world rankings.

Since breaking through for his first professional victory in 2002, the man from High Wycombe has become one of the game's most consistent money-makers. He has made top-10s his trademark since appearing on the world scene in 2001, clocking up over $20million in PGA Tour winnings and €9million in Europe along the way. With seven professional wins to his name, including his most recent and biggest triumph at the World Golf Championship-Accenture World Match Play, the world number three is slowly beginning to silence his critics who have derided him for lacking a winning mentality.

Donald's superb victory at Dove Mountain three weeks ago marked his first title on American soil in five years. He never trailed at any time during his six matches, in a match play record of 89 holes, and made seven more birdies than anyone else in the field. And let's not forget he comfortably beat Germany's new world number one Martin Kaymer 3&2 in the final.

The 33-year-old, who became a father for the first time when his wife Diane gave birth to their daughter, Elle, has been in the form of his life since the birth in February 2010, recording two victories and 15 top-10s in that spell. Donald found his game in May with a second-place finish at the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, and went one better the following week by winning the Madrid Masters. He was instrumental in Europe's Ryder Cup success at Celtic Manor in September, vindicating captain Colin Montgomerie's wildcard pick by winning three out of four points. In the last three WGCs, Donald has finished third, first and sixth. He has also recorded nine top-10s in his last ten outings on the US and European circuits - you have to ask yourself is anyone hotter than Donald right now?

Green jacket would fit nicely

However, the one thing missing from his impressive resume, just as it is for England's world number two Lee Westwood, is Major glory - the yardstick by which true greatness is measured. He has flirted with the leaderboard in all four Majors but has only recorded four top-10s in 30 attempts. His best performance at Augusta dates back to 2005 with a tie for third - having slipped down the leaderboard with a second-round 77, Donald covered the last eight holes of his final round in six-under par. Hardly the stuff of a plodder.

The current Race to Dubai leader also stepped into the limelight at the 2006 USPGA Championship with another tie for third. Partnering Woods in the final round, Donald dared to match his opponent's Sunday penchant for wearing red - but that was as close as he got to the 14-time Major champion all day. Woods shot 68, while Donald shot a disappointing 74.

But this is a new Donald. What he lacks in length off the tee, he makes up for with accurate iron play, which two-time Major champion and NBC analyst Johnny Miller describes as the best in the world. Some critics believe Donald cannot win The Masters because of his lack of fire power from the tee, but the Englishman did not look out of his depth when winning the WGC Match Play on the 7,600-yard Dove Mountain course. Ranked in the top-10 for sand-saves, putts-per-greens in regulation and scrambling on the PGA Tour this season - skills required to master Augusta - Donald will believe he has every chance of ending his major hoodoo in three weeks time.

His Major ambition and drive for success is as strong as it has ever been. After a taxing four-week stretch of tournament play, Donald has decided to take a well-deserved two-week break, before heading to Augusta a week early to hone a more aggressive strategy than in previous years. But with a current stroke average of 69.31, second on the PGA Tour, he will not be making too many changes before heading to the first tee on April 7. The only thing he may want to do over the next fortnight is plod along to the shops and choose a correct fitting for a certain green jacket.