Golf: Donald sets sights on major title

Luke Donald. Photo / AP

World No.1 golfer Luke Donald says he's not planning to change his hectic playing schedule in order to capture an elusive major title.

The Englishman criss-crossed the globe throughout the year, becoming the first player to win both the US and European money lists in the same season.

Before arriving in Melbourne where he will tee off in the Australian Masters at Victoria Golf Course on Thursday, he was in Dubai and previously South Africa.

While his consistent top-10 finishes and ability to deliver under pressure had him voted PGA Player of the Year on Wednesday, the 34-year-old is yet to win a major.

But he said he wouldn't trade his money list achievement or change anything else about his game to add his name to a big-four trophy.

"I certainly wouldn't change my career for just one major," Donald said on Wednesday.

"I would love to win one. I would love to have it all, obviously, and that's the thing that's missing from my resume.

"I will be working hard next year to change that.

"My goal is to always enter those four events playing well, and that won't be any different for next year."

The father of two said the travel associated with the European tour meant he was quickly able to adapt to different courses and for that reason he believed he was a chance to win at his first professional tournament in Australia, having previously played here once as an amateur.

His background as an artist, specialising in oil painting and having completed a US college degree, also helped him "visualise" a course.

"I've always felt it helped me on the golf course just in terms of a visual way," he said.

"The way you would visualise a painting coming together, somehow you can visualise a short game, a shot over a bunker ... there are a lot of visual instances on the golf course where it helps."

Donald will play with Geoff Ogilvy on day one of the Australian Masters and declared the former US Open champion the man to beat at Victoria, given his home-course advantage.

He also noted Greg Chalmers, who will attempt to pull off the Australian triple crown after already winning the Australian PGA and the Open.

Defending champion Stuart Appleby will delay a decision on whether to play until just before his tee-off time at 8.15am as he battles a back injury which has hindered his long game.

"Tomorrow morning will be the true test. Obviously I've got to get out here at sparrow's and give it a test and see how it goes," said Appleby.

"I won't play if I feel I'm a good chance to pull out after nine. I don't think that's fair to the alternate."

- AAP