Match play title satisfies Poulter
Beaten Donald fails to claim No1 spot
Ian Poulter is a world match play champion again -- and Luke Donald still cannot call himself the world's best golfer.
The two Ryder Cup team-mates fought out the first all-English final in the 46-year history of the World Match Play Championship in Spain yesterday and Poulter came from behind three times to win 2&1.
It was, surprisingly, his debut in the event, but in Arizona last year he beat Paul Casey to win the sport's other head-to-head title.
"I don't know what it is about match play," said Poulter, nearly £704,000 richer. "I love it -- I get more up for it. I need to change that into stroke play."
Donald needed to win to take over as world number one from Lee Westwood but will now have to try again at Wentworth in the BMW PGA Championship, which starts on Thursday.
Champion
He was the champion in Arizona three months ago, but although he did not have anything like as tough a week as Poulter he was the one to struggle more near the end.
"That will leave a sour taste in my mouth, but we'll move on," Donald said. "I just ran out of steam a little bit.
"I had some opportunities on the greens and usually I can do it in my sleep, but I struggled. I don't mind losing if I play well, but unfortunately I didn't play well enough. I'm not too concerned with the rankings. Those kind of take care of themselves, but I'll keep knocking on the door.
"Getting to number one is the least of my worries."
Poulter led something of a charmed life throughout the tournament.
He did not win either of his two group games and was three down after three holes in his opening match against Francesco Molinari.
After a few "frustrating" months in which he has slipped down the rankings while so many Ryder Cup team-mates have gone in the other direction, Poulter now leaps nearer the top 10.
"It's very satisfying. If you are going to hole putts you're going to be hard to play against and I did exactly the same against Luke," added Poulter.
- Mark Garrod
