Luke's memories
The record will show that Luke Donald tied for 52nd in the British Open, although barring a future victory, it might rank among his most memorable majors.

Donald played the first two rounds with Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, who ended his major championship career at St. Andrews. Donald still has several pictures of the three as they crossed the Swilcan Bridge that Friday afternoon.

“They’re sitting in Jack’s locker at the Bear’s Club waiting for him to sign when he goes there,” Donald said. “He only plays there about twice a year, so we’ll see how long that will take.”

More than the pictures or the commemorative bank notes of Nicklaus (four of those are waiting to be signed), Donald won’t forget the scene walking up the final few holes.

“You’re walking up the 18th, every window of every building there were people watching,” Donald said. “I saw Ernie Els looking out on the 17th of the (Old Course) hotel. I mean, everyone was watching. This was a huge moment in golf, and to be playing with him was pretty special. It was a great treat.”

Home on the range
Michelle Wie might feel like she’s at home in the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Her family is buying a house at Bighorn Golf Club, where Wie made her professional debut at the Samsung World Championship in October. Bighorn is about 15 minutes away from Mission Hills, site of the LPGA’s first major.

“We would like to use our Bighorn house as often as possible for Michelle’s golf training and vacation,” said her father, B.J. Wie. “It will also be very convenient to stay at Bighorn during the Kraft Nabisco Championship and the Samsung World Championship.”

Divots
Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade have distributed $239,000 to more than 41 children’s charities in New England through their annual CVS Charity Classic. The Andrade-Faxon Charities for Children also donated $100,000 to the Rhode Island chapter of the American Red Cross for families who fled from Hurricane Katrina. ... Morgan Pressel turned pro in November, but a car will have to wait for the 17-year-old senior in high school. “I don’t have my license,” she said last week. Pressel said Florida law requires a permit for one year, and she never got around to getting that until after the U.S. Women’s Open.

Stat of the Week
Since his first full season in 1993, Phil Mickelson has gone only three years without winning on the West Coast swing. Two of those years (1999, 2003), he ended the season without a PGA Tour victory.

Final word
“Most people work all their life to be able to retire and play golf. I’ve played golf all my life to retire and go to work.” — Jack Nicklaus.

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