2011 European Tour: A Season of Luke Donald's Dominance
The 2011 European Tour marked the 40th season of professional golf's premier circuit in Europe since its inception in 1972. Spanning from December 9, 2010, to December 11, 2011, the season featured 52 official events that tested the world's best golfers across multiple continents, culminating in the prestigious Race to Dubai.
This particular season is remembered as the year of Luke Donald, who achieved a rare sweep of the tour's most prestigious individual honors. From the early season match plays to the final championship in the UAE, the 2011 circuit showcased a blend of established legends and emerging stars.
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Key Facts
- Duration: 9 December 2010 – 11 December 2011.
- Total Official Events: 52.
- Race to Dubai Winner: Luke Donald.
- Most Wins: Thomas Bjørn and Luke Donald (3 wins each).
- Rookie of the Year: Tom Lewis.
- Major Highlights: Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open, and Darren Clarke claimed The Open Championship.
The Race to Dubai and Season Honors
The Race to Dubai serves as the season-long points race based on prize money won (calculated in Euros). Luke Donald dominated the rankings, finishing first with a total of €5,323,400, including bonuses. His consistency across majors, World Golf Championships (WGC), and principal events secured his place at the top of the leaderboard.
Donald's exceptional performance earned him a clean sweep of the year-end awards, being named both the Golfer of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year. Meanwhile, the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award was presented to Tom Lewis, recognizing the most impressive debut season on the tour.
Top 5 Race to Dubai Standings
| Position | Player | Total Earnings (€) | Key Wins/Performances |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Donald | 5,323,400 | BMW PGA Championship, Barclays Scottish Open |
| 2 | Rory McIlroy | 4,002,168 | U.S. Open, UBS Hong Kong Open |
| 3 | Martin Kaymer | 3,489,033 | WGC-HSBC Champions, Abu Dhabi HSBC |
| 4 | Charl Schwartzel | 2,929,829 | Masters Tournament, Joburg Open |
| 5 | Lee Westwood | 2,439,601 | Ballantine's Championship |
Tournament Highlights and Global Reach
The 2011 schedule was truly global, with events hosted in South Africa, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, India, the United States, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Portugal, England, Wales, France, Germany, Scotland, Sweden, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
The season included several Major Championships—the most prestigious tournaments in golf—and World Golf Championships (WGC), which feature the highest-ranked players globally. Notable victories included Charl Schwartzel's win at the Masters and Rory McIlroy's triumph at the U.S. Open.
The tour also integrated events from other regional circuits, such as the Sunshine Tour (AFR) in South Africa, the Asian Tour (ASA), the Challenge Tour (CHA), the Korean Tour (KOR), and the OneAsia Tour (ONE).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the most tournaments in the 2011 European Tour?
Thomas Bjørn and Luke Donald tied for the most wins during the season, with each securing 3 official victories.
What is the Race to Dubai?
The Race to Dubai is the season-long competition used to determine the European Tour's number one player, based on the total prize money earned in Euros throughout the season.
Which player was named the Rookie of the Year in 2011?
Tom Lewis was awarded the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year for his performance during the 2011 season.
How many official events were held during the 2011 season?
There were 52 official events on the 2011 European Tour schedule.
Which major championships were part of the 2011 schedule?
The schedule included the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship.