Donald back in the swing

Donald: Back at Torrey Pines for first time since US Open

The injury gave me time to reflect upon what I needed to get my swing back to. I looked at a lot of videos with my coach and, when I was able to start hitting balls, I was able to start building my game up from the ground level

Luke Donald
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Luke Donald believes his lengthy lay-off due to a wrist injury could be a blessing in disguise, as he gets ready to make a return to Torrey Pines.

The Englishman will tee off at the Buick Invitational this week looking to banish the memories of his last appearance at the course.

It was at last year's US Open in San Diego that the 31-year-old picked up a wrist problem which eventually needed surgery, forcing him to miss the final two majors of the year, as well as the Ryder Cup.

Donald, who returned to action in December at the Sun City Challenge in South Africa, used his time on the sidelines wisely - tweaking his swing.

Inconsistency

"It feels fine, 100 per cent healthy. I've had a couple of solid tournaments, nothing spectacular, but some good, solid rounds to build on," he said on his fitness.

"I felt like my swing was slipping into some places that I didn't like in 2008 and it was causing a lot of inconsistency off the tee.

"I wasn't hitting enough greens. I was really relying on my short game to score out there and that's not really what I pride my game on.

"The injury gave me time to reflect upon what I needed to get my swing back to. I looked at a lot of videos with my coach and, when I was able to start hitting balls, I was able to start building my game up from the ground level.

"In that way I feel like my swing is a lot better than it was six months ago. I feel a lot more in control of the ball, and hopefully that will produce some results down the road."

Apart from the US Open in 2008, Donald does have better memories of playing at Torrey Pines, having finished runner-up at the venue in 2004 and 2005.

Good finishes

"I have had some good finishes here so that was a very disappointing moment in my career when I injured my wrist in the US Open," he added.

"I have played well here and I guess, in a certain way, I feel like this course owes me something. We'll have to see how I play this week. I'm looking forward to a successful week."

Donald will start his first round on the South Course playing alongside American Jeff Quinney and Charlie Wi of South Korea.

Irishman Padraig Harrington, who is due to play on American soil for the next month or so, Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen are also part of a strong field for the tournament.