German Wins With Last Gasp Effort To Keep Stylish Poulter At Bay

Abu Dhabi, UAE. 24th January, 2010: In a breathtaking final day at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2010, Germany’s Martin Kaymer reigned supreme as he lifted the coveted Falcon Trophy for the second time in three attempts, with a tournament record-equalling 21-under-par.

Having shot three consecutive rounds of 67, Kaymer was forced to raise his game on the final day as England’s Ian Poulter continued to push him to the very last stroke. Both golfers carded an impressive 66 and the tournament looked like it was going to a play-off until the German pulled out a fairway wood to make the mammoth drive to the 18th green, as Poulter had to lay-up.

A solid 30-foot putting effort from Poulter on the last green, which would have forced the playoff, went agonisingly close, and the flamboyant Englishman, who had been a massive crowd favourite, had to settle for a second place finish of 20-under-par.

“I really feel comfortable here, both on and off the course. The people are always really nice and they always look after us so well. I really enjoy being here and I’ll be back next year.”

The final day grouping of Kaymer, Poulter and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was always going to be a thrilling affair. With three of the world’s top 15 leading the Sunday pack, and only one shot separating them as they teed off on the 405-yard 1st hole, they certainly didn’t disappoint the thousands of fans following them around Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course.

It was a fitting end to this year’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship as it celebrated its fifth anniversary. With its strongest ever field, including eight of the world’s top 14, and a hugely enhanced off-course entertainment line-up, the tournament’s success was a major boost for the emirate’s emergence as a world-class golf destination of distinction.