Ian Poulter won the Italian Open Telecom Italia for the second time in three years by edging clear of Paul Lawrie on the final green after a dramatic finale at Olgiata Golf Club in Rome.
Poulter had led from the start after opening with a stunning 11 under par 61 and began the final round one stroke clear of Lawrie. As the final day of the tournament reduced to 54 holes following thunderstorms on Friday unfolded the 1999 Open champion twice drew level. But each time Poulter hit back to keep his nose in front.
When Lawrie missed from eight feet for par on the 16th after finding sand Poulter was back to one in front with just two to play.
The 26 year old Englishman, who won the title at Is Molas two years ago on his way to winning the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award, appeared to be in the driving seat after a good drive on the 17th with Lawrie finding the rough but hit a tree with his second shot.
The pendulum swung back to Lawrie, forced to lay up with his second but the Scot pitched to 15 feet and holed the putt for a birdie. Poulter meanwhile three putted from the back of the green for a bogey six, the two shot swing putting him behind for the first time all week.
With a one stroke lead playing the last Lawrie pushed his drive out of bounds. Poulter responded by hitting the perfect drive and a nine iron to four feet to secure a birdie to Lawrie’s double bogey and capture the title with closing 69 for a 19 under par total of 197.
“It got very interesting towards the end,” said Poulter. “Paul got off to a birdie start which had us all square after the first and it was neck and neck all the way.
“As soon as he made bogey at the 16th I was one up with two to play. I hit a great shot on the 17th, he missed the fairway and had to lie up. I thought here is my opportunity but I hit the tree 150 yards in front of me. Funny things happen. I three putted and he rolled in a birdie effort and all of a sudden I have gone from a great position to one behind with one to play.
“Unfortunately for Paul he hit it too far right on the 18th. I didn’t even know there was out of bounds over there and don’t think he did either. I crushed my drive down there and had the perfect yardage for a nine iron. I knew I had to hit it close and I did.
“It feels absolutely fantastic. I hadn’t won this season until now and I want to win every year. I have made that quite clear and have done throughout my professional career. There were only two tournaments to go so I put a lot of pressure on my shoulders to win and I do well under pressure. It was awesome to go out and do it."
For Lawrie there was obvious disappointment having come so close to his second title of the year following his victory in the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open.
“It was just one of those shots,” he said. “I don’t know what happened to be honest. I thought I hit a pretty good swing and it came off at an unbelievable angle right out of bounds. Not what you are trying to do. I would have bet my house on making a four up the last but there you go.
“I played nicely again, didn’t hole as many putts but stuck to my task. Apart from the 18th I didn't hit it off line all day. Disappointing is not the word.”
Anders Hansen, Anthony Wall and home favourite Emanuele Canonica finished two shots further back in a share of third place.
In the race to finish European Number One Padraig Harrington made a significant move in closing the gap on Retief Goosen at the top of the Volvo Order of Merit with a stunning nine under par 63 to move to 14 under par 202 and into joint sixth place.
Harrington needed to finish fourth to overhaul Goosen at the top and moved up from joint 34th after the second round to joint sixth with nine birdies. It could have been event better as a number of putts, including two from four feet in the last five holes, narrowly missed.
“I don’t think I have ever shot 63 and walked off the course so disappointed,” said Harrington. “I must have missed half a dozen chances out there. It was a very tough day.
“A couple better would have made all the difference. A shot or two would have been enough to make a big cheque. I will make a good cheque. It’s a great round to give me some inroad into next week. It makes a big difference but one or two better could have been third or fourth which would be great. But at least I have got up there and done something. I’m looking forward to next week.”
At the other end of the Volvo Order of Merit there was everything to play for as those players around the 115 mark fought to keep their playing privileges on The European Tour. Philip Golding, who started the week in 122nd place needed to finish in the top ten and made a valiant effort to retain his card with a final round 63, his lowest round on The European Tour, but ultimately he came up just short.
Paul Eales, in 118th place birdied four of the last five holes for a final round of 66 to climb to joint 31st and move up to 115th with just one tournament remaining.
“I let my card slip with poor putting at the dunhill links championship and that was a golden opportunity to wrap my card up. All year I have played great golf with no reward and never cashed in on my good playing. Saying that it could have been quite easy to have thrown in the towel when things didn’t go to plan but I didn’t do that and stuck at it.”
Gary Emerson also looked to have just done enough to retain his card after holding on to 116th place in the Volvo Order of Merit by finishing tied 44th thanks to a final round of 68.
