With new irons from Mizuno and his season already taking great shape, Luke is flying high on the US Tour money list - and the European Ryder Cup table.

Such a sparkling finish to 2005 left Luke optimistic and confident about 2006. He says: "Anytime you win it's a huge boost to the confidence, but winning against an elite field at the Target was even better. It really put me in a great frame of mind going into the 2006 schedule, knowing that I could beat the best."

So Luke went into Christmas and the New Year able to relax in the knowledge his game was in shape. There is always something that can be improved, however, and Luke decided to ring some changes.

" I like to use my off time to really relax and get away from golf for a few weeks, re-charging the batteries for a long year ahead. I did however, do some club testing and tried out some MP32 irons, a slight change from my MP33 irons that I have played for the past two seasons. In the end it was an easy switch and am now using the MP32 irons, which I'm really enjoying."

To prove how much he enjoyed the MP32s right away he shot his career-best score in the Pebble Beach AT and T - more encouragement in early-season. "The 62 at Spyglass was amazing. I really got in the zone, it just happened, it was one of those great rounds where everything you know you can do just happens.

"It was a little disappointing not to have gone on to win there at Pebble Beach , but all in all a very steady start to the season, and onethat I thought I could build on."

And build on it he did. Just around the corner was his wonderful win in the Honda Classic. Luke had, of course, completed a maiden win on the US Tour in 2002, but the Southern Farm Bureau Classic was weather-affected and did not run the full 72 holes. This time, in the Honda Classic, one of America's most prestigious tour events, Luke went the full distance. And it was at the end of that full distance, he excelled. There was a marvellous extra prize, too - a place for the first time in the world rankings top-ten.

"I was so encouraged by a steady start to the year, and I knew good things were just around the corner. To win and get my first official 72 hole victory on the PGA Tour meant a lot to me. Especially finishing off Sunday the way I did, by birdieing three of the last six holes."

Those MP32s came in handy. "Playing one of the best irons shots of my career meant a lot personally -- that I was really starting to believe that I could compete as one of the best golfers in the world. Top ten on the World Rankings was a bonus. My next goal, though, is to become the best player in the world!"

With Luke's victory also came a sixth place at that time on the US money-list. And, already it is looking a certainty that he will not need a Ryder Cup wild-card this time. He lies fifth on the Ryder Cup table, of the ten automatic qualifiers. "It's definitely a good start to the season and the win at the Honda really helped with the Ryder Cup points. I feel like I'm in a position now that I just have to play steady Luke Donald golf and everything will take care of itself."

Golf has a habit of bringing you back down to earth, though, and Luke suffered quite a blow at Sawgrass this time in the Players Championship, in which he had finished second in 2005. Not feeling at his best, health-wise and on the greens, affected his chances. "I was obviously disappointed at the TPC to miss my first cut in well over a year. I felt under the weather which didn't help, but more than anything,I just couldn't get the ball in the hole. If you aren't firing on all cylinders that week it's going to be hard."

That has not diminished Luke's optimism for the biggest week of the season so far. "I'm still very excited for the Masters though. With my accurate iron play, I still believe that Augusta is a great venue for me despite the changes to the golf course. I'll be arriving there next week, fully expecting to compete for the elusive Green Jacket."