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Donald denied No.1 spot as Poulter claims World Matchplay title

Ian Poulter celebrates his battling victory over English compatriot Luke Donald.
Ian Poulter celebrates his battling victory over English compatriot Luke Donald.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Ian Poulter beats Luke Donald 2&1 in final of Volvo World Match Play Championship
  • Donald would have gone to number one in world with victory over Poulter
  • Poulter claiming 11th European Tour title of his career
  • Donald beat world number three Martin Kaymer in their semifinal

(CNN) -- Ian Poulter produced another battling display to beat fellow Englishman Luke Donald 2&1 in the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain Sunday.

Donald led through the turn, but his putting touch deserted him in the closing holes as his Ryder Cup colleague claimed his 11th win on the European Tour.

It was a double disappointment for Donald, who would have taken over from Lee Westwood at the top of the world rankings with victory at Finca Cortesin.

Donald thrashed PGA champion Martin Kaymer of Germany 5&3 in their earlier semifinal to underline the fine form he has displayed all season.

Like Donald, Kaymer would also have risen to No.1 with overall victory after Westwood went out in the last 16 to Poulter.

I didn't play my best today but managed to hole me putts and got away with it. That's what you have to do in this game
--Ian Poulter
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Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium looked set for an upset victory over Poulter in their semifinal as he led by three holes after seven.

But Poulter had leveled it up by the 16th and won at the first extra hole.

The final proved a scrappy affair until Poulter holed birdies on the 12th and 14th to take the lead.

Donald missed a four-footer on the next which would have brought him level and was made to pay as Poulter moved two ahead by winning the 16th.

A par-three at the 17th was enough to complete victory, which came after 108 holes in his six matches in the tournament.

Poulter has endured a poor start to the season, but will rise to 15th in the new rankings issued Monday.

"There were a lot of questions being asked of me in the first five months of the year," he told the official European Tour website.

"I didn't play my best today but managed to hole me putts and got away with it. That's what you have to do in this game."

Donald was disappointed with his performance in the final as he stays number two in the world.

"I would not have minded losing if I played well. It will leave a sour taste in the mouth, but I will move on next week. I just ran out of steam," he said.