Poulter drives off with £250,000

IAN POULTER, sporting red streaks in his hair to celebrate Arsenal’s FA Cup win and to match his Ferrari, drove off with the £250,000 first prize after a three-shot victory in the £1.5 million Wales Open.

Poulter survived a late stumble for the second day in succession to card a final round 70 for an 18 under par total of 270 at Celtic Manor. Jonathan Lomas, Australian Jarrod Moseley and South African Darren Fichardt shared second place on 15 under, Moseley's bogey on the 18th costing him outright second and £55,000. The fans hoping to see local favourite Phil Price secure a home victory left disappointed after the Ryder Cup hero faded to a closing 74 to finish six shots adrift of playing partner Poulter.

Poulter, battling a bout of tonsillitis all week, was never headed from the moment he equalled the course record with a 65 in the first round, a record subsequently beaten by Moseley's 63 on Saturday.