Ian Poulter wins Australian Masters
England's Ian Poulter won the Australian Masters on Sunday, spoiling Geoff Ogilvy's bid for a victory on his boyhood course.
Poulter, two strokes behind Ogilvy entering the round, closed with a 4-under 67 in windy conditions to finish at 15-under 269 at Victoria Golf Club.
``To come down here the week before Christmas and to win this tournament is very special,'' Poulter said. ``I had a message from (former champion) Justin Rose, who said, `Put a nice gold jacket in your wardrobe like I have,' and it's nice to do that.''
Marcus Fraser had a 64 to finish second, three strokes back. Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open champion who matched the course record with a 63 on Saturday, shot a 73 to end up third at 11 under.
Poulter erased Ogilvy's lead with a 15-foot eagle putt on the short par-4 first hole.
The Englishman birdied the seventh to take the outright lead and added another on the ninth - after nearly making another eagle - to make the turn with a two-shot advantage.
``After the first couple of days when there wasn't much wind people may have thought the Victoria Golf Club was easy, but they were mistaken,'' Poulter said. ``It certainly showed its teeth today.''
Top-ranked Luke Donald had a 72 to tie for 12th at 4 under.
Greg Chalmers failed in his bid to become the second player to complete the Australian Triple Crown, shooting a 74 to join Donald in the group at 4 under. Robert Allenby remains the only player to sweep the Australian Open, PGA and Masters. He accomplished the feat in 2005. - http://www.golf.com
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