Donald returns to No 1

The 34-year-old needed a top-seven final placing at Avondale to regain pole position from Rory McIlroy.

For Donald, a final-round 67 followed earlier efforts of 73, 65 and 66 to see him finish two shots off the pace.

Birdies on the third, ninth, 11th, 13th and 18th holes ensured the Englishman finished on his own at 17 under par.

It means the top spot in world golf has changed hands nine times in the last 18 months, with Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer also holding the position.

McIlroy begins his quest to regain top spot later this week, when he competes in the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina.

The winner in Louisiana was Jason Dufner, who edged out Ernie Els on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off to land his first US PGA title at the 164th attempt. The pair both finished on 19 under after the final round.