Luke Donald is desperate to show the golfing world his remarkable 2011 season was no fluke and victory at the Transitions Championship in Florida represented timely encouragement.

The 34-year-old, displaced as world number one by fellow Briton Rory McIlroy two weeks ago, went back to the top of the rankings after beating Americans Jim Furyk and Robert Garrigus and South Korean Bae Sang-Moon in a four-way playoff on Sunday.

All four players finished 72 holes on 13-under-par and Donald took the first prize after drilling a brilliant 150-yard approach shot out of the rough at the opening sudden-death hole and rolling in his birdie putt from seven feet.

Asked by reporters if he felt a sense of having been written off after losing the number one ranking earlier this month, Donald replied: "Absolutely.

"I don't think many people thought I could do what I did last year all over again this season. Hopefully now I can prove them wrong."

The Englishman won four titles worldwide in 2011 and became the first player to clinch the orders of merit on both sides of the Atlantic.

"This is a funny game," said Donald. "It does come and go. I've had a slow start to this year and there have been doubts - they do creep in sometimes.

"You can certainly fall into the trap of looking at last year and how you played and kind of compare."