England’s Ian Poulter has won the UBS Hong Kong Open at Fanling by a single shot from his countryman Simon Dyson and Italian sensation Matteo Manassero. It was Poulter’s 10th European Tour victory.
The 34-year-old claimed the lead in the tournament with a scintillating second round of 60 and he maintained his position at the top of the leaderboard to the finish.
Poulter took a two-stroke lead into the final round with Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell in second place. Three birdies on the front nine helped the Englishman keep his nose in front, then a spectacular eagle at the par-5 13th all but secured his victory.
“It feels more than good,” said Poulter. “It was nice, I felt calm all day. I felt as if I just kept going around my business, I thought if I made a few birdie putts that would be enough to win – it’s very pleasing to do so.”
With a final round of 62, Italian teenager Matteo Manassero catapulted himself into a share of second with Simon Dyson. The Englishman came out firing on Sunday with a front nine of 30. But the birdies dried up on the run for home and he came up just one stroke shy.
“I’m disappointed,” he said. “I played great today, I just didn’t hole a thing on the back nine. It was still a great week though.”
With the win, Poulter has climbed to fifth on the Race to Dubai and has moved into the top-10 on the Official World Golf Ranking.
Graeme McDowell ended the week in fifth spot and picked up a cheque for €76,689. It means he’s reduced Martin Kaymer’s lead at the top of the Race to Dubai standings to just €290,000.
UBS Hong Kong Open
Hong Kong GC, Hong Kong
Nov 18-21, purse €1,800,000, par 70
1 Ian Poulter (Eng) 67 60 64 67 258 €301,447
T2 Simon Dyson (Eng) 64 65 65 65 259 €157,094
T2 Matteo Manassero (Ita) 67 63 67 62 259 €157,094
4 Anthony Kang (USA) 67 61 67 65 260 €90,436
5 Graeme McDowell (NIR) 65 65 63 68 261 €76,689
6 Rory McIlroy (NIR) 63 66 66 67 262 €63,305
T7 Jamie Donaldson (Wal) 66 66 65 66 263 €46,665
T7 Gareth Maybin (NIR) 67 67 68 61 263 €43,665
T7 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 63 67 66 67 263 €43,665
Note: Player in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only