Poulter edges Donald at Volvo
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2011 Volvo World Match Play Championship | Final Round | 23 May 2011
Ian Poulter is the 2011 Volvo World Match Play Champion adding this title to the Accenture Match Play Championship he won in 2010.
Today Poulter denied Luke Donald yet another opportunity to become the world number one by defeating his fellow Englishman by 2 & 1 in the 18 hole final at the Finca Cortesin Golf Club in Casares, Spain.
Donald went ahead early when Poulter bogeyed the 2nd but Poulter birdied both the 4th and 5th to take the lead. Donald was conceded the 8th to take the lead again but then Poulter birdied the 9th to draw level at the turn.
Donald birdied the 10th to go ahead once again but a birdie at the 12th had Poulter back on even terms before he took the lead with a birdie after a the fine approach to the 14th for birdie and consolidated with another at the 16th after all but holing his approach.
Poulter has reached the Final courtesy of his victory against surprise packet Nicolas Colsaerts in his semi final morning match while for Donald he had to get past yet another trying to gain the number one position in the game with a win this week, Martin Kaymer.
The victory against such a strong field should move Poulter back inside the top 15 in the world when the revised rankings are released later today.
Poulter earned €800,000 for the victory although only €566,000 of that will go towards the Race to Dubai money list.
Donald will retain his number two position in world golf behind Westwood and ahead of Kaymer but takes the lead in the race to Dubai
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