Consistency, iron play and putting; keys to Donald's success in 2011

Of course we all know galleries love the long ball on the PGA Tour. Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Gary Woodland can really bomb the ball off the tee with at times, ridiculous length.

Luke Donald on the other hand, reallies more on his consistency, iron play and putting to drive him all the way to being the No. 1 ranked player in the world -- As well as the first player to ever win the money titles on both the PGA and European Tours in the same season.

Looking back on his 2011 PGA Tour season, it's easy to see how he was the most consistent golfer on Tour, and how his overall game and stats showed he was indeed, one of, if not the best golfer of 2011.

Donald of course is never going to over power a golf course, averaging 284.1 yards off the tee. Good enough for 147th overall on the PGA Tour.

However, in a time and age where everyone seems to be hung up on distance, distance, distance.

The Englishman has his own way of carving up the course, and putting up strong finishes, time and time again.

In 2011, Donald ranked 1st in Strokes Gained Putting, 1st in Scoring Average and 2nd in Birdie Average -- About the best you can do in some of the most important categories to be successful on the PGA Tour.

His scoring average stats are defeinitely ones that leap off the page.

In the first rounds, Donald was 2nd overall with an average score of 69.30. In second rounds, he was 9th at an average of 69.72.

He slips a bit during third rounds, averaging only 69.38. Good enough for 15th overall in 2011.

But Sundays, when all the money is on the table. That is when Donald is at his very best.

His scoring average during final rounds was tops among all PGA Tour players in 2011 -- At 68.06.

A true closer when it counts, firing his best scoring average through all four rounds during the final rounds. He was the only player in 2011, to not record an over par round in his final rounds.

Donald's iron play is an area of his game which at times; other than his putting, gets him his most recognition on Tour.

From 100 - 125 yards into the green, he again was tops on Tour for closest proximity to the pin at 16 feet, 4 inches.

And of course, last but certainly no where near least, is Donald's extraordinary putting he displayed all season long in 2011.

He had an astonishing low 15, 3-putts total in 1,206 holes played during the 2011 PGA Tour season. Which works out to be roughly one 3-putt every 80 holes.

Donald also went 483 holes this season without carding a 3-putt. That stat is just uncanny.

Adding everything together for Donald in 2011. His putting, his iron play, his ability to close out tournaments in the final rounds -- Truly shows what he did in 2011, was worthy of all the accolades and awards he was honored with at the end of 2011 season.

Could we see someone knock off the current world No. 1 in 2012?

Perhaps.

If he continues his fine play into 2012, we very well may see him make his stay atop the golfing world, an extended one.