Donald sets Heritage pace, top ranking beckons

Britain's Luke Donald edged closer in his bid to become world number one for the first time when he opened a one-stroke lead in The Heritage second round.

Donald, who will take over at the top of the rankings if he triumphs at Harbour Town Golf Links on Sunday, fired a six-under-par 65 to take control of the PGA Tour event.

The rock-steady Englishman, who claimed his maiden victory on the US circuit at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February and finished no worse than joint 10th in his next three starts, posted a 10-under total of 132.

US Garrett Willis, the first-round leader, was alone in second place after carding a 69.

Asked if he was playing like a world number one, Donald told reporters: "Not yet."

However, he is fully aware of what success at Harbour Town on Sunday would mean.

"I guess it's always in the back of your mind," said world number three Donald, who would leapfrog second-ranked fellow Briton Lee Westwood and top-ranked German Martin Kaymer with victory here.

"It's hard to get away from knowing that with Twitter and Facebook and the media and everything. You obviously know what's at stake. It would certainly be an honour and a great achievement to accomplish."

However, Donald has a lot more to worry about at Harbour Town than the rankings with a strong quartet of players in close pursuit.

Colombian Camilo Villegas (68), Australian Jason Day (65), defending champion Jim Furyk (66) and fellow American Chad Campbell (69) trail by two with Briton Ian Poulter (66) and US Ben Crane (66) a further stroke adrift.