Luke Donald, Former World Number One, Almost Quit Golf in 2015

Luke Donald worked his way up to number one in the world golf rankings in August of 2012 and appeared to be on track to be the next big star, but like many, Donald was on a quest to make his swing better and ended his successful relationship with Pat Goss and hired Chuck Cook as his swing coach.

Goss was Donald’s coach and swing instructor at Northwestern and the two enjoyed a lot of success. From the time he joined the PGA Tour in 2001 to August 2012, Donald collected five PGA Tour wins and 12 second place finishes along with seven wins on the European Tour. Although he’s never won a major tournament, Donald has finished in the top five four times and collected just about every award available in 2011, including the Vardon Trophy and Player of the Year, but after hiring Cook, everything changed.

In an interview with James Corrigan, Donald talked about how he considered quitting golf for good in 2015.

"“My confidence had taken a big knock and I asked myself if I wanted to continue doing this,” Donald said. “I wasn’t enjoying it, finding it so very hard and could not see much light at the end of the tunnel. But then I told myself not to be a baby, to grow up and realize how lucky I was. I was still playing golf for a living.”"

Donald decided to see psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais to see if he could get his mind right.

"“He just reminded me that it’s up to me what mood or mindset I’m in,” Donald said. “When you’re in a slump it’s easy to forget you’re still the one who is in control.”"

Donald bounced back last year and qualified for the U.S. Open where he finished tied for 58th and The Open Championship where he finished a very decent tied for 12th. After that his season went downhill. His longtime caddie left him to loop for his friend and countryman Paul Casey and so Donald decided to take some time off. Some of which he spent with his buddy Michael Jordan.

Donald, who enters 2016 ranked 78th in the world golf rankings, needs to either win, or climb into the top 50 in order to play in the Masters for a 12th straight time. A top 50 ranking would also help him possibly make the European Ryder Cup team.

"“You know, it’s not that difficult to fall down in the rankings. I’ve experienced that a little bit myself,” Donald said. “Look at Tiger. For 10 years he was unstoppable, unbeatable and this just shows how fickle this game is, how many ebbs and flows there is to it, and how hard it is.”"

His first chance at winning will be at the Sony Open this week.