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Luke Donald has withdrawn from this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic after being hampered by a wrist niggle, flu-like symptoms and back muscle spasms.
Donald’s withdrawal comes a year after he produced one of the standout moments of the tournament, carding a hole-in-one during Friday’s second round of the 35th Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Donald travelled to Dubai from Orlando, committed to competing at Emirates Golf Club, but was ultimately forced to make the difficult decision on Thursday morning following advice from the DP World Tour medical staff.
Brendan Taylor, Luke Donald’s manager, told Golf Digest Middle East: “Luke obviously came over to play the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He loves coming over to the region, loves Dubai, and he made the commitment to fly over from Orlando and play the event.
“But Luke being Luke, once he’s committed to the tournament, he’d done 10 days of solid practice at home to prepare because he never does anything without being fully prepared and giving it his all.”
The initial issue arose earlier in the week, with Donald feeling discomfort in his wrist.
“He felt a wrist niggle, which was the first issue. We got that scanned, and he was cleared to play the tournament but had to rest it yesterday after advice from the European Tour medical staff,” his manager added. “That’s why he wasn’t able to play in the pro-am, although he did walk the final two holes with EGA, his pro-am partners.”
David Cannon
The Team Europe Ryder Cup Captain then began feeling unwell on Thursday, with virus symptoms circulating among players.
“Apparently a couple of players had this bad cold, sort of flu-like symptoms, and he started yesterday feeling that way,” his manager said. “He woke up this morning feeling even worse, so it was another visit to the European Tour medical staff, who got him some medication and he started feeling better. But when he was on the range this morning warming up, his back went into muscle spasms.
“Talk about things coming in three!”
With the combination of issues, Donald was left with no choice but to withdraw.
“Very sadly, he’s had to not play, which he’s gutted about having come all the way over,” his manager said. “He’s obviously played golf for many, many years and he’s just maybe got some wear and tear in the wrist.”
Donald will return home to the United States on Saturday, with his next start to be confirmed.
“He’ll fly back early hours of Saturday morning and it’s TBC where Luke will tee it up next,” his manager added.
Donald was expected to hold talks with senior officials at the European Tour Group this week in Dubai on the 2027 Ryder Cup captaincy position. The 48-year-old was replaced in the field by Italian Filippo Celli.
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Main Image: Andrew Redington
