Poulter wins matchplay
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Ian Poulter won the Volvo World Matchplay Championship at Finca Cortesin in Spain, beating Luke Donald 2&1 in the final; and so denying his fellow Englishman a chance of moving to the number one spot in the world. If Donald had won the final, he would have displaced Lee Westwood as the world number one.
Poulter had a remarkable week, being behind in almost all of his matches, but managing to grind out victories, as he came strong on the final stretch of holes.
On several occasions (most notably against Francesco Molinari and then Nicolas Colsaerts in the semi final) Poulter sank lengthy putts to effectively stay in the match. If there is a really important 10-foot putt, with everything resting on it, there are not many players you would put ahead of Poulter to make it.
The day was made even more memorable for Poulter in that it was also his son Luke’s 7th birthday.
“Happy birthday Luke,” the Englishman said afterwards. “I thought it would be pretty special to win this today. I finally started holing some putts. I’ve been frustrated for a few months and you have to hole putts to win.”
“It was disappointing,” said Donald afterwards. “I ran out of steam a bit and didn’t take the opportunities I had.”
Poulter won Euro 800,000 for his efforts; while Donald left with a cheque for Euro 420,000.
Now Donald and Martin Kaymer (who was beaten by Donald in the semi-final, and who would also have gone to number one in the world if he had won) will have the chance again this week, if they can win at Wentworth in the BMW Championship.
