England's Ian Poulter, last year's European Rookie of the Year, held off the challenge of fellow countryman David Lynn to capture the Moroccon Open in Rabat this afternoon. Poulter's final round of 70 left him two shots ahead of Lynn on 15-under-par. Australian Peter Lonard finished in third position one shot further behind.
Scotland's Stephen Gallacher and France's Thomas Levet were tied for fourth on 10-under. Ireland's Paul McGinley finished on 8-under, tied for eighth position after a 72, while Philip Walton could only manage a 79 to leave him at 4-over for the tournament.
"It's another dream day," the 25-year-old winner admitted afterwards. "It was really difficult going out in the lead like last time with everyone snapping at your heels. I gave myself a few chances early on but didn't really take them until I made a great eagle on the 10th," he explained.
Poulter's victory, only his second on the European Tour, has pushed him up to sixth spot ahead of Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer and Sergio Garcia in the Ryder Cup standings. However, he is well aware that there is a lot of golf still to be played before September. "It's obviously something I look at but I'm going to have to play awfully well to get in the side. You have to accumulate a lot of points and play well in the big tournaments in the summer," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
