Poulter does enough as Donald runs out of steam
Poulter, 35, led a charmed life throughout the event, frequently coming from behind to stay in contention before disposing of a weary Donald by 2&1 to collect a cheque for €800,000.
Both finalists are expert in this format with Poulter the WGC Accenture World Champion in 2010 and Donald claiming the crown this year.
However, this final was a laborious affair, taking more than three hours and 50 minutes for the 17 holes. The turning point came when Poulter sank a 50-foot putt for a birdie on the 12th to level. He then went on to recover from a fairway bunker to less than a yard to go ahead at the 14th before Donald missed a golden opportunity to square proceedings by three-putting from 20 feet at the next.
Poulter accepted the let-off by again knocking his approach to the 16th dead and making sure of the handsome prize with a nine-footer for a half and the match at the short 17th.
“I played 108 holes to win this title and it’s always wearing playing the best players in the world”, said Poulter, who moves up to 15th in the world rankings.
“This is a great boost after a slightly frustrating season and also as it has come on my son Luke’s seventh birthday.”
Poulter staged a great fight back in the morning’s semi-final to beat Italian Francesco Molinari at the 19th while Donald, who picked up €377, 770 for finishing second, accounted for Germany’s Martin Kaymer.
However, Donald couldn’t reproduce his early form and remains second in the world rankings behind compatriot Lee Westwood.
“I just ran out of steam and gave Ian too many opportunities”, he said.
Irish interest in the championship came to an end on Saturday. The day began with the eagerly awaited clash of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy, which didn’t disappoint. McDowell shot seven birdies in winning by 4&3 but McIlroy produced four of his own, along with an eagle in a match of remarkably high quality.
Those who maintain McIlroy doesn’t hole enough putts to justify his sixth place in the world rankings were provided with further ammunition, however. Once again, he missed too often from inside 10 feet and essentially this was his undoing. His frustration showed when he kicked his ball away on one occasion and tossed the putter on another. His consolation for defeat was a cheque for €90,000.
“I missed five chances in the middle of the round,” McIlroy admitted. “I just couldn’t get a putt in the hole and it is still a work in progress. When you miss a couple in a row, you start thinking about it.”
McDowell moved on to what many considered a banker against Nicolas Colsaerts. However, he was surprisingly flat and managed only two birdies against the Belgian. Like McIlroy, McDowell, who picked up €115,000 was left to rue some crucial putting lapses: “Yeah, it was frustrating after the way I played and putted against Rory. I couldn’t quite see the lines, Nicolas played really well and made me have to go for my shots and that’s matchplay.”
