Poulter wins 2010 Accenture Match Play
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2010 Accenture Match Play Championship | Grand Final | 22 Feb 2010
Ian Poulter is the 2010 Accenture Match Play Champion, not only winning his first PGA Tour event in the process but significantly elevating his status in world golf. Poulter’s victory moves him ahead of fellow finalist, Paul Casey and into 5th placing in the world ranking.
Poulter earned US$1.4 million while Casey adds another US$850,000 to his already substantial coffers.
Poulter’s convincing 4&2 victory in the 36 hole final over last year’s runner up, Casey, put the seal on a great week for the 34 year old Englishman where he defeated Justin Leonard, Adam Scott, Jeev Milkha Singh, Thongchai Jaidee and Sergio Garcia prior to facing Casey today.
Casey made the perfect start this morning after returning to the course to complete his weather then darkness delayed semi final match against Camilo Villegas. Villegas missed a very short putt to win the match on the 18th, the contest lasting another five holes before it was called.
When it resumed at 7.00am this morning, Villegas pulled his tee shot at the very first hole, the 6th extra hole, took bogey and the match was over.
In the meantime Poulter had been enjoying the chance to relax having finished his match early yesterday with a comprehensive 7 & 6 victory over Sergio Garcia.
When the final began, Casey was first to strike when he eagled the second to go one up but that was the last he would see of the lead, Poulter eventually going to lunch after 18 holes 2 up.
Birdies at three of the first four holes of the afternoon would all but secure the match for Poulter as, even though Casey reduced the margin to just 2 with a birdie at the 28th, the task was just too great.
In the consolation final to decide third and fourth, Camilo Villegas made a one horse race of his matchup against Garcia. A double bogey at the first had Garcia quickly one down and by the turn in the 18 hole match he was 4 behind. The match ended at the 15th with Villegas the victor 5&4, earning US$600,000 in the process compared to Garcia’s US$490,000.
