Genius. Luke Donald has clearly been paying attention.
"They can call me a plodder if they like," Donald said. "But I make birdies, too. There's more to the game than hitting it long. There's definitely ways to make birdies other than hitting it 350 yards."
For example, being deadly with a wedge from 90 yards and in, and having a putter that is almost too hot to handle.
"I pride myself on a good short game," Donald said. "I work very hard at it."
Take note, Mr. Watson and Mr. Holmes. Brains beat brawn. Little Luke shouldn't be suited to a course that measures 7,800 yards, but he has made it to the final in the fewest number of holes in the tournament's history.
"I can describe my week in one word," Donald said. "Pretty dominant."
That's two words, but who's counting? The only statistics that matter are 27 birdies and just four bogeys in 73 holes.
"I haven't really missed any greens," Donald said. "I've been tough to beat this week."
Make that impossible.
"There's no escaping Luke Donald," said Matt Kuchar, his 6-and-5 semifinal victim. "I played decent golf, and he just tore me up."
Donald will go head-to-head with the new No. 1 player in the world, Martin Kaymer. At stake is $1.4 million and the chance for Donald to rise to No. 3 if he wins. Europeans would fill the first four places in the world rankings, with Lee Westwood No. 2 and Graeme McDowell No. 4. The all-European final makes it five of the last six years without an American reaching the last match.
The final will be the most important day of Donald's career since he was tied for the lead at the 2006 PGA Championship at Medinah — and in the final group with Tiger Woods. Donald cheekily wore red, Woods's Sunday tradition, and got pummeled. Donald chuckled when he was reminded of his choice of color. There will be no red for the Match Play final.