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We're here on the ninth hole at the Olazabal course at Mission Hills
for a putting lesson with one of the best.
Luke Donald is here.
Putting is overlooked in practice, people want to hit drivers, but obviously so important,
so what tips can you give us?
I certainly spend a lot of time on the putting green.
The biggest thing I think about is strike and speed.
Speed is the most important thing.
We play with amateurs, they 3-putt, 4-putt constantly, because they don't get the proper strike.
They think acceleration is accelerating past the ball but really you've got to accelerate to the ball.
It's something I work on and a thought I sometimes have is
a little big longer backstroke a little bit shorter follow-through.
It's like if you hit a nail with a hammer.
If you want to get it in there, you have to hit it hard.
It kind of goes against conventional wisdom.
It does, but I'm afraid I'm right on this one.
If you want solid contact, you're gonna avoid the 3 putts, you'll have much better speed and make more putts.
We've got a little bit of time, but we've given you a tricky putt here.
So lining it up first of all.
Yes, I like to pick an intermediate target, just left of the hole.
This one is gonna break a good couple cups, probably.
I'll commentate on this one: Luke Donald and a fairly disappointing round so far,
but this for a birdie to get back to 7 over par.
There you go, now that is first take!
- That's how you do it! - One-take Donald, that's what they call me!
He will be World Number One again, he will rule. Thank you.