Luke Donald has withdrawn from next week's WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai to be with his wife for the birth of their second child.
The Englishman, who is trying to become the first player in history to win the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic, had been hoping that his second daughter would arrive this week but the World Number One conceded on Friday that family had to take precedence over the US$7 million event in China and his quest to enter the record books.
Donald said: "It's important for my wife and it's important for me to make sure that I'm around to support her. It's no coincidence that the birth of our first daughter inspired me to some really great golf.
“Family does put a lot of things into perspective; my job is very important but the family out-trumps everything. I would be there if it wasn't for the baby."
After securing the US money list by winning the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic last week, Donald currently leads The Race to Dubai by €1,300,000 from Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, who will now be hoping to close the gap next week in Shanghai with only five weeks remaining of the 2011 season.
Donald finished third at the event last year, coming in nine shots behind compatriot Lee Westwood and ten behind eventual winner, Italian Francesco Molinari.
