Luke Donald

Ten years ago there was only one English golfer in the worlds top 100. As they prepare to begin the World Match Play Championship, two Englishmen occupy the top two spots.

At tee off in Marbella tomorrow, Luke Donald will go about his task of dislodging his compatriot Lee Westwood from the top of the pile. It is the first time ever that the top two players have come from England and both are heading to Spain in sizzling form.

The timing of the tournament means that the pair are unlikely to get the recognition they deserve on a wider sporting scale. Many Englishman's eyes will be on Wembley this weekend for a certain football match but hopefully, come Sunday, we will all be polishing up our golf clubs.

After all, in six weeks time we will all be sipping pimms and eating strawberries and cream as Wimbledon fever hits the nation. This seems quite bizarre when we don't even have an English player harbouring any hope of winning, and I'm talking about a match, not the whole tournament.

We are a nation that loves to support the underdog but we shouldn't ignore the remarkable success that is right under our noses. Especially in a sport that has been dominated by one man for so long.

But at the moment it's a case of Tiger who?

England can boast the best golfers in the world and Donald and Westwood deserve their share of the limelight.

Westwood has reigned victorious in his last two events while Donald has finished in the top ten places in 12 of his last 13 tournaments.

Victory for Donald would not only send him to world number one status. He is also bidding to become the first player to win both match play tournaments after taking the title in Arizona in February.

Another Englishman, Ross Fisher, is in Donald's group as he bids to defend his title. But it is the two at the top that are creating excitement, and I for one will be watching with pride in what promises to be a intriguing all English affair.

There are enough ranking points on offer for Martin Kaymer to take over at the top. Donald beat the German in the final in Arizona and he is perhaps regarded as the man to beat in Marbella.

I'm certainly getting into the swing of supporting sporting success from our nation. How nice for Englishmen to enter big tournaments with realistic expectations rather than false hope.