World No. 1 Donald claims PGA money title

VIRGINIA WATER, England, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Luke Donald wrapped up the PGA Tour money title and perhaps Player of the Year honors with a win at the Children's Miracle Network Classic.

Donald said before the tournament in Florida he needed to win to pass Webb Simpson for the money title. He managed that with six consecutive birdies in the final nine holes of the tournament to take the championship and the $846,000 that goes with the trophy.

That pushed him to $6.68 million for the year, with Simpson settling for second at $6.35 million. Nick Watney is third on the with $5.29 million in winnings. Ninety-six players won more than $1 million in 2011.

Simpson, who started the year ranked No. 213, can take solace in that his tie for sixth last week boosted his world ranking to No. 10, forcing Phil Mickelson to 11th. It was the only change in the Top 10.

Donald, with an average of 10.752 sits comfortably at the No. 1 spot, which he's held for 22 weeks. Lee Westwood (7.482) is second with Rory McIlroy (7.307) coming in third.

Steve Stricker is fourth at 6.242, barely ahead of fifth-ranked Dustin Johnson's (6.238) while Martin Kaymer (6.088) is sixth. Jason Day is seventh with an average of 5.726. Adam Scott (5.478) comes in eighth and Matt Kuchar (5.400) takes the ninth spot. Simpson's average is 5.365 and Mickelson's is 5.263.

Sergio Garcia won for the first time in three years -- a lopsided 11-stroke victory -- in taking the European Tour's Castello Masters. He moves from 49th to No. 31 in the world rankings.