CHRISTMAS DINNER WILL taste a little sweeter for Ian Poulter this year after the English golfer captured the Australian Masters title on Sunday.
Playing in the final pairing along with overnight leader Geoff Ogilvy, the world number 28 (now into the world top 20) eagled the par-four opening hole and immediately drew level with his Australian rival.
Poulter was in front by the seventh and another birdie at the par-five ninth put him further ahead facing into the back nine. Where Ogilvy had been superb on Saturday while securing his course record of 63, he just didn’t take his chances 24 hours later and eventually recorded a two-over 73.
The eventually winner collected a 67 to finish on -15 and was three shots clear of Marcus Fraser, who carded a 64 to jump right up the leaderboard. Ogilvy was third on -11, with Adam Crawford and Peter Senior tied for fourth on seven-under.
World number one Luke Donald tied for a share of 12th after a one-over par round of 72 left on -4.
“For me, it was a pure ball-striking round of golf,” Poulter said afterwards (See PGA.org.au). “It (my concentration) was flawless the whole day.
“I was happy how I approached every shot. I hit my targets, it was fairly methodical, but, for me, it was a nice round of golf.”
Lee Westwood, meanwhile, enjoyed similar success at the Thailand Golf Championship in Bangkok, carding a final round of 69 to win the tournament by seven shots from Charl Schwartzel.
Speaking to the Guardian, the world number three – who will now move above Rory McIlroy to the number two ranking – said he will be focusing on securing his first Major title in 2012.
“I’m going in the right direction. I can see a lot of improvement and I’m happy with the way I’ve finished the year – I’ve won two out of my last three events.
“I’ll go into the winter with a lot of confidence and I’ll try to come out next year playing the same kind of golf as I played this week, a little bit leaner and well rested.”