Golf: Poulter leapfrogs into Ryder cup position

Ian Poulter leapfrogged star names like Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer and Sergio Garcia in the battle for a Ryder Cup place with an impressive victory in the Moroccan Open.

Poulter carded a final-round 70 at Dar Es Salam for a 15-under-par total of 277 and a two-stroke winning margin over fellow Englishman David Lynn.

Australian Peter Lonard was a shot further back in third after a 68, with Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher and France’s Thomas Levet tied for fourth on 10 under par and English duo Gary Evans and Greg Owen another stroke behind.

The £66,660 first prize lifted Poulter to sixth in the Ryder Cup standings while Lynn almost certainly secured his card for next season by taking the runners-up prize of £44,440.

Last season’s Rookie of the Year was never headed after the second round but the most impressive feature of his win was the way he saved par superbly several times on the back nine yesterday as the chasing pack closed in.

‘It’s another dream day,’’ admitted the 25-year-old from Hertfordshire, who only claimed his first win in the Italian Open in Sardinia last October.

‘‘It was really difficult going out in the lead like last time, with everyone snapping at your heels. I gave myself a few chances early on but didn’t really take them until I made a great eagle on the 10th.’’

A crunching drive with a new Taylor Made driver picked up only last week left him with just 164 yards to the pin and his eight-iron never left the flag before settling just three feet from the pin.

‘There were still a few awkward shots on the back nine,’’ he added. ‘‘I had to take my medicine on the 11th, but made some good putts for par after that which really kept me going.’’

The Ryder Cup in September is still a long way away and Poulter knows he will have to continue such form to earn enough points to qualify for Sam Torrance’s team.

‘‘It’s obviously something I look at but I’m going to have to play awfully well to get in the side,’’ said Poulter.

‘‘You have to accumulate a lot of points and play well in the big tournaments in the summer.’’

Lynn was left to rue a missed putt on the last but had the consolation of almost certainly securing his card for next season after just eight events.

‘‘I though if I could get that putt it would put pressure on Ian over the last two holes where you can get into trouble, but it was not to be,’’ said the 27-year-old from Stoke, a member of Barry Hearn’s Matchroom stable.

‘‘But I’m delighted after a poor start when I dropped shots at the first and fourth.

‘‘I said to my brother and caddy, Simon, I didn’t feel so good, let’s just grind it out, but I got on a run from the fifth hole and made five birdies in six holes which got me back attacking and feeling good.

‘‘Now I hope to try and kick on from here. I made a change to my grip over the winter and it seems to be working and hopefully it will continue to do so.’’