MELBOURNE, December 18, 2011 (AFP) - England's Ian Poulter finished the season by donning the gold Australian Masters winner's jacket on Sunday after a resilient final round of four-under 67 at the windswept Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne.
"To win this is the second highlight in what has been a tough year for me," Poulter said. "To do this in a Ryder Cup year and move inside the top 20 on the world rankings means a heck of a lot."
Poulter, 37, who also won the world matchplay in Spain this year, finished with a 72-hole total of 269 -- 15 under par -- and pocketed a cheque for Aus$180,000 ($179,500).
He finished three clear of Australian Marcus Fraser (12-under 272) and four ahead of another home player, 2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy (11-under 273).
World number one Luke Donald had looked dangerous on the front nine when he moved to eight under for the tournament, but faltered on the way home for a 72 and a four-under total of 280.
Poulter began the day two behind overnight leader Ogilvy and said it was an advantage being paired with the leader.
The Englishman, regarded as one of the best exponents of matchplay golf, immediately put pressure on his opponent with an eagle at the short 233-metre par-four opening hole.
He rolled in a five-metre putt after hitting a five wood off the tee while the Australian went with a three-iron as winds gusted up to 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph).
"That was absolutely crucial," Poulter said. "That gave me a great opportunity -- all tied with 17 to play, so that was a nice little boost.
"I love being in contention -- if you are down the field, there's no excitement, no adrenalin, no interest."
The conditions were demanding, he said.
"I've been chilled all week and today was a day for patience. There was no getting away with bad shots in the wind and in a way I think that really helped me focus.
"I hit some really good shots today. It was a pure ball-striking round of golf although I lost concentration over the last two holes," he said.
Poulter said he will celebrate with "a big Christmas turkey" at home with his family in the US before taking January off.
Fellow Englishman Donald said Poulter's win was outstanding.
"If you ask Ian, he won't say he had his greatest year this year. Obviously he had a victory in the match play but outside of that he has probably been a little bit disappointing," Donald said.
"Ian has a very strong mind, even when his golf isn't quite on, he is able to grind out a score and I think he would be the first to tell you that he has done very well this week.
"I had dinner with him a couple of times and he said he wasn't hitting it great but he was able to get the ball in the hole and that is always the aim."
Donald said a long year had finally caught up with him at the tournament.
"Finding my line and speed on the greens has been a problem all week," he said.
"It just didn't happen this week and it is a little bit disappointing to finish like that, but I will reflect on what has been an amazing year for me."
Final round scores from the Australian Masters at the par-71 Victoria Golf Club course in Melbourne on Sunday (Australian unless stated):
269 - Ian Poulter (ENG) 65-68-69-67
272 - Marcus Fraser 70-69-69-64
273 - Geoff Ogilvy 71-66-63-73
277 - Adam Crawford 74-68-69-66, Peter Senior 69-70-68-70
278 - Brad Kennedy 71-69-69-69, Kieran Pratt 67-70-69-72, Ashley Hall 66-70-68-74
279 - Kurt Barnes 70-71-70-68, Peter Lonard 67-70-69-73, Nathan Green 69-68-67-75
280 - Robert Allenby 73-70-67-70, Peter Fowler 71-67-71-71, Luke Hickmott 70-71-68-71, Jarrod Lyle 67-71-70-72, Cameron Percy 70-69-69-72, Luke Donald (ENG) 69-70-69-72, David Smail (NZL) 70-73-65-72, Brent McCullough 71-66-70-73, John Senden 70-70-67-73, Greg Chalmers 69-70-67-74
Selected others
283 - Matteo Manassero (ITA) 76-67-72-68
292 - Will Strickler (USA) 73-70-76-73
294 - Peter Tomasulo (USA) 71-73-74-76