Poulter savours victory

Ian Poulter is a world match play champion again - and Luke Donald still cannot call himself the world's best golfer.

The two Ryder Cup team-mates fought out the first all-English final in the 46-year history of the World Match Play Championship in Spain on Sunday and Poulter came from behind three times to win 2&1. It was, surprisingly, his debut in the event, but in Arizona last year he beat Paul Casey - another fellow countryman, of course - to win the sport's other head-to-head title.

"I don't know what it is about match play," said Poulter, nearly £704,000 richer. "I've tried to work it out before and I haven't been able to. I just love it - I think I get more adrenaline and more up for it. I need to change that into stroke play."

Donald needed to win to take over as number one from Lee Westwood - yet another Englishman, of course - but will now have to try again at Wentworth in the BMW PGA Championship starting Thursday.

He was the champion in Tucson three months ago, but although he did not have anything like as tough a week as Poulter he was the one to flag more near the end.

"That will leave a sour taste in my mouth, but we'll move on," he said. "I just ran out of steam a little bit.

"I had some opportunities on the greens and usually I can do it in my sleep, but I struggled.

"I don't mind losing if I play well, but unfortunately I didn't play well enough.

"I'm not too concerned with the rankings. Those kind of things take care of themselves, but I'll keep knocking on the door.

"Ian's gritty. He's not an easy opponent to play, but not getting to number one is the least of my worries. I think it will come if I keep playing the way I'm playing."