Poulter gains first tour title

Gordon Brand Junior bogeyed the final hole in the Italian Open on Sunday to help English rookie Ian Poulter to his maiden European Tour victory.

A few moments earlier Poulter had birdied 17 and he went on to shoot a three-under-par 69 to win by a stroke from 42-year-old Scotsman Brand who shot 66.

The $150,000 triumph saw Poulter equal the feat of Spain's Sergio Garcia last year in taking a title in his first season on the Tour.

Former Ryder Cup player Brand, seeking a ninth title seven years after his last, the European Open, trailed Poulter by four strokes going into the final round.

But he stormed to the front with five birdies in 10 holes while Poulter managed only pars.

"Taking a one-shot lead into the final hole was all I prayed for when I went to bed last night," said Poulter.

"It was a slow start because I didn't have much adrenalin but I stayed patient. I could see from the 17th that Gordon was bunkered and when I heard the groan I knew I just needed a four to win."

Poulter said his inspirations had been Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo and he was delighted to follow Faldo as rookie of the year.

Brand was the 1982 rookie of the year and he appreciated the significance of his opponent's win as well as his own attempt at victory in his 19th year on tour.

"It was disappointing to bogey at the end but my bunker play has been awful," said the Scot, whose pitch out of sand had left him with a 14-foot putt to try to earn a playoff.

"But 20 under is the best I've ever shot so fair play to Ian. He can be rookie of the year now. That was me once."

Australian Richard Green also bogeyed the last for a 68 to drop back into a share of third place with with Spain's Francisco Cea, three strokes behind Poulter.

Cea made sure of retaining his tour card for next year by moving up 30 places from 136th on the rankings.

European number one Lee Westwood had his best round of the week, closing with a 66, to finish six strokes off the pace. He improved his order of merit lead to $67,500. ($1=.6961 Pound)

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