Ian Poulter Wins WGC Accenture Match Play

Sports News - February 22nd, 2010 - Written By Bryan Cross

Over five days, and six matches, Ian Poulter needed only 114 holes to claim the WGC Accenture Match play championship, as he defeated Paul Casey in the 36-hole final on Sunday.

Throughout the week, the Ritz-Carlton golf course at Dove Mountain in Marana, Ariz staged a variety of exciting match ups, finishes, and upsets, that included the early exit of every No. 1 seed by the conclusion of Friday. This allowed other players in the field, like Poulter, to take advantage of the opportunity.

Poulter is widely regarded around the PGA Tour as the flashiest dresser in the field. The theme continued in the championship match on Sunday, as he showed up to the golf course in a display of light pink from head to toe.

"For me, it's a business and one that I'm very passionate about," Poulter said in a post-round interview. "I take pride and care on how I present myself on the golf course. And a lot of people haven't really seen it that way over the last few years. But I iron all my clothes for every match and I want to go out on the golf course looking good. So that's my prerogative."

Prerogative or not, Poulter notched the biggest win of his career, as his performance on the golf course overtook his attire at least for one day.

During the morning session of the 36-hole match, Poulter was able to gain control through a series of crisp approach shots, and a flawless short game.

After Casey made bogey on the seventh hole, Poulter took a one-up lead which he would not surrender.

"It's been a long time coming," Poulter said after his win. "I knew I was in great form. I felt comfortable all day on the golf course."

Poulter knocked in a three-foot par putt on the 34th hole of the match to secure the victory.

"Poulter played great," Casey remarked after the round. "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."

The 114 holes that Poulter played throughout the course of the week was only two holes shy of Tiger Wood's 2003 record of 112 holes played. His overall record in this event moves to an impressive 18-7.

"My short game certainly this week has been as good as it's ever been," Poulter remarked. "The last 12 months, it's been up there with the best of them."

With the win, Poulter moves up to fifth place in the official world golf rankings.

"I guess five in the world stands for more than just what I wear on the golf course," he said.

Coming into the week, PGA Betting Odds favored defending champion Geoff Ogilvy, along with second-ranked player in the world, Steve Stricker. Both were eliminated in the second round, which opened the door for several players to breakthrough. Poulter took advantage.