Englishman Ian Poulter wins WGC HSBC Champions at Mission Hill Golf Club

   

Ian Poulter produced a second successive round of 65 to triumph in the WGC HSBC Champions in Shenzhen, China.

The Englishman managed eight birdies to move clear at the top of a congested leaderboard and despite a solitary blemish at the 17th, finished clear of a group of four players to win his second WGC title.
Having started the day four behind compatriot Lee Westwood and South African Louis Oosthuizen, Poulter made the most of a hot putter to claw back the deficit.
After shooting six under for the first 10 holes, the 36-year-old picked up further shots at the 14th and 15th to give himself a cushion going on the Olazabal Course at Mission Hill Golf Club.
There was a danger of a late wobble when he followed up a bogey at the penultimate hole by finding sand around the 18th green. However, the Ryder Cup star produced a superb up-and-down from the bunker to save par.

"I played well last week and I took a lot from that. I knew that if I just did the right things this week, stayed patient, I'd be right there at the end. It's just so nice to get another win."

Overnight leaders fall away

American trio Phil Mickelson, who could have forced a play-off had he holed his second at 18, Jason Dufner and Scott Piercy were joined by current Open champion Ernie Els in second place on 19 under.
Westwood had four birdies on the front nine but was hindered by a double bogey at the par-three fifth. He dropped further shots at the 10th, 12th and 15th before at least finishing with a birdie, meaning he signed for a 72.
Oosthuizen could also only manage a level-par score too on the final day in China, meaning he finished alongside his fellow overnight leader on 18 under.
Poulter previous WGC success came back in 2010 when he won the Accenture Match Play Championship.
"I feel confident when I'm in good form, and I've been in good form for a while," he added. "It's just so nice to get my hands on another trophy."
For Els it was another near miss in the event, having finished second to Mickelson back in 2009. The South African shot an astonishing 18 under par for the week on the front nine.
Adam Scott finished alone on 17 under thanks to a 67, the Australian ending up one clear of Martin Kaymer (68), who was seven under for his final round before a disastrous triple bogey six at the 17th.

  

Final leaderboard

(US unless stated)
-21 I Poulter (Eng)
-19 J Dufner
-19 E Els (SA)
-19 P Mickelson
-19 S Piercy
-18 L Oosthuizen (SA)
-18 L Westwood (Eng)