Sign up for our daily newsletter

Want latest news, reviews, analysis, deals, and events, and offers from our commercial partners? We’ve got you.

Postman Poults: English ace Ian claimed his 12th European Tour by winning the WGC-HSBC Champions

Ryder Cup hero closes with a 65 to secure HSBC Champions title in China

Little over a month on from his heroics at the Ryder Cup, Ian Poulter slayed the field with a stunning final round to win the WGC-HSBC Champions in China.

A superb 65 over his final 18 holes gave the Englishman a two-shot win over Americans Jason Dufner, Scott Piercy and Phil Mickelson, as well as Open champion Ernie Els.

It also handed 36-year-old Poulter his second World Golf Championship title following his victory in the WGC-Accenture Matchplay in 2010. He becomes just the second European to win multiple World Golf Championships, following in the footsteps of one of his Ryder Cup vice-captains, Darren Clarke.

Coming into the event off the back of that miraculous comeback at Medinah and a fourth place finish in the BMW Masters a week earlier, Poulter revealed he was confident he could of securing his 12th European Tour title.

“It’s been an amazing five or six weeks with the Ryder Cup and then coming here in good spirits,” said the Englishman, whose victory has propelled him to 15th on the world rankings and fourth on the Race To Dubai standings with just three events to go.

“I played well last week and took a lot from that. I knew that if I stayed patient I’d be right there at the end.

“I feel confident with the putter right now. It’s so nice to get my hands on another trophy and get back in the winner’s circle.”

Having won two World Golf Championships, Poulter is now eyeing a long-awaited breakthrough in the majors. No English golfer has won one of golf’s big four since Sir Nick Faldo claimed the last of his six titles in 1996. However, Poulter is hopeful he can be the man to end that drought.

“Two world championships are great, of course, but a major is the biggest dream,” he said. “People keep asking all the time ‘when, when, when’. I don’t know when but I’m trying really hard – I’ll do my best next year.”

The next stop for the European Tour is Singapore for this week’s Singapore Open, where Rory McIlroy will seek to consolidate his position at the top of the European Tour money list having already won its equivalent in the US.

The Northern Irishman – who skipped the WGC-HSBC Champions – holds an €800,000 lead at the top of the standings after his closest challengers, Peter Hanson and Justin Rose, failed to capitalise upon his absence in China in any significant way.

topics


author headshot

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The PLAYERS Championship