Monday 17 April 2017 07:48, UK
Luke Donald was proud of his performance at the RBC Heritage despite finishing runner-up at Harbour Town Golf Links for the fifth time in his career.
Donald produced a valiant fightback from a double-bogey seven on the second hole on the final day, but his three-under 68 left him just one shot behind maiden PGA Tour winner Wesley Bryan.
The former world No 1 started to repair the damage caused by his poor drive at the second when he birdied the long fifth, and he then knocked a wedge to tap-in range at the ninth to turn in 36.
Donald picked up a bonus birdie at the 11th when a sublime bunker escape found the bottom of the cup 25 yards away, and back-to-back gains at 13 and 14 lifted him into a share of the lead.
But he was unable to find one more down the stretch and had to settle for second once again, although he remains determined to get over the line at one of his favourite venues on Tour.
"Obviously it was the worst possible start," said the Englishman, who arrived at Hilton Head Island ranked 96th in the world. "A double on two, which is kind of a birdie hole, and I just never felt very comfortable on that tee shot all week.
"But I'm really happy with the grinding and the grit that I showed to come back and give myself a chance. I just keep trying, obviously it's a place I feel comfortable and I like and I've had a lot of success. I've got to just keep pounding away, and hopefully I'll get there one day.
"I showed a lot of grit and determination and I always pride myself on that, even when I wasn't feeling that comfortable off the tee this week at times.
"To get it through 72 holes and have a chance to win just shows that I'm really happy with the determination and just never giving up."
