Poulter Claims First Victory on American Soil

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain – Marana, Arizona

Ian Poulter defeated fellow Englishman and good friend Paul Casey 4-and-2 Sunday at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship to capture the first title of his career on American soil.

This is by far Poulter’s biggest win of his career nine, and he took home a Trophy called the “Walter Hagen Cup”, in homage to the great player who won 11 majors -four of them consecutive PGA Championships when they were match play.

Hagen was regarded as much for his snappy attire as for his play, and the Haig would surely have approved of the Englishman wardrobe and attitude.

Dressed in pink on a chilly day in the Arizona desert, Poulter put on a short game clinic and led over the final 28 holes on his way to victory, which propelled him to No 5 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

“I’ve had an interesting ride from a lot of people’s point of view of how I present myself on the golf course, as opposed to how well I can actually perform,” Poulter said.

This is to me very pleasing to be able to be in that position now. I guess 5 in the world stands for more than just what I wear on the golf course.”

His short game was second to none during the week. After losing the second hole to Casey in the morning, the only time he trailed in the final match, Poulter seized control with two solid chips for birdies and never looked back, closing out Casey with a deft pitch up the slope at the 16th hole on Sunday afternoon-with mud on the ball- that settled inches away from the cup. “It’s been a long time coming,” Poulter said. “I knew I was in great form. I felt comfortable all day on the golf course.” Casey didn’t put much of a fight, he struggled at times with his swing and his short game was never good enough to allow him to catch up. He became the first player to lose consecutive years in the championship match-lost 4-and-3 to Geoff Ogilvy in 2009.

“Poulter played great,” Casey said.”There were a lot of shots which I wanted to pull off and I didn’t. He did a fantastic job of making putts and keeping the ball in play, and he kept the pressure on. And I got beaten.”

Poulter played only 114 holes all week – only Tiger Woods with 112 holes in 2003 played fewer – and earned $1.4 million for the biggest check of his career.

Casey cut the deficit from 4 to 2 holes down by winning two of the last four holes in the morning session, and looked like he would have the momentum going into the afternoon.

Poulter, however, didn’t let his good friend capitalize, opening the second round with two birdies to again take a 4 holes advantage.

Casey mounted another charge, winning the 9th hole with a par and the 10th with a birdie, again pulling within 2 of Poulter with eight holes left. The longer hitter Casey, though, couldn’t take advantage of the par 5s, and Poulter took control for good on the 307-yard 15th, where both players drove to the right of the green. Poulter almost holed his chip for eagle, and Casey’s birdie putt to halve the hole caught the lip.

Casey had to return Sunday morning to finish his semi-final match with Camilo Villegas, suspended on Saturday for darkness. Casey won in 24 holes, after Villegas missed a 3-foot putt on Saturday that would have put him in the final.

Poulter didn’t have such trouble in his semi-final against Sergio Garcia, he crushed the Spaniard 7-and-6 for an early spot in the final.

Garcia didn’t fully recovered from the beating, and Columbian Villegas defeated him 5-and-4 in the consolation match.

There was nine Englishman for twenty Americans in the tournament, and two Brits made the final. Both were Captain’s pick by Nick Faldo for the 2008 Ryder Cup. Poulter went 4-1 at Valhalla, even though Europe lost the cup. Colin Montgomerie, this year Europe’s captain must be very pleased by his players’ performance in the Accenture Match Play Championship.

The 34-year-old Poulter took the monkey off his back with this victory on American soil, and proved that he might be as good as he thinks –and often says- he is.

“It’s so nice to see myself at No 5 and get higher and higher up the World Rankings.” Said Poulter.

< Prev		Next >

Poulter Claims First Victory on American Soil

Poulter Claims First Victory on American Soil

Whats Hot Now