• WGC-HSBC Champions, Round Four

Poulter snatches victory from Westwood in China

Ian Poulter pumps his fist © PA Photos

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WGC-HSBC Champions leaderboard

Ian Poulter pulled off a remarkable comeback at the WGC-HSBC Champions as he came from four shots behind to win his first title of 2012.

Starting the day four shots off the pace, Poulter fired a sensational seven-under 65 to win by two strokes at Mission Hills.

Still flying high from Europe's Ryder Cup triumph at Medinah five weeks ago, Poulter made an early move on Sunday with two birdies in his opening two holes, and he picked up a further two shots to reach the turn in 32.

Four birdies between 10 and 15 saw Poulter surge into the lead, and although he faltered with a bogey at the 17th, he produced a superb bunker shot to save par at the 18th to sign for a 65 to take the clubhouse lead on 21-under par.

Phil Mickelson was Poulter's closest challenger, but when the American failed to hole his approach at the 18th, he was forced to settle for a four-way tie for second alongside Jason Dufner, Scott Piercy and Ernie Els.

"It's been an amazing kind of six weeks, with the Ryder Cup and then coming here," Poulter said. "I played well last week and I took a lot from that. I knew that if I just did the right things this week, stayed patient, I'd be right there at the end. It's just so nice to get another win."

Lee Westwood started the day at the top of the leaderboard alongside Louis Oosthuizen, but the Englishman's hopes of victory faded as his short game unravelled, starting with a double bogey at the fifth. Oosthuizen matched Westwood's 72 as the joint overnight leaders finished in a tie for sixth.

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