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Poulter boosted by rankings surge

Ian Poulter ended the season on a high at the Australian Masters © Getty Images

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Ian Poulter says he feels relieved to have finished the year on a high, after his victory at the Australian Masters saw him climb back into the world's top 20.

Entering the final round two shots adrift of home favourite Geoff Ogilvy at the Victoria Golf Club on Sunday, Poulter shot a closing 67 to win the season-ending tournament by three strokes, and become only the second Englishman - after Justin Rose in 2006 - to win the event.

Aside from scooping the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain in May, the 35-year-old has endured a difficult year on the course; although a winner's cheque for £116,000 and a gold jacket have seen him end the season with a flourish.

"To come down here the week before Christmas and to win this tournament is very special," Poulter said. "I love being in contention, that's why I play this game. If you're down the field, there's no adrenaline, there's no excitement, there's no real interest. So that's why I practise hard to put myself in this position to enjoy the fact of being under pressure because you find out who you are.

"To win this is the second highlight in what has been a tough year for me. I needed to play well this week. It will move me 10 or 12 spots up the world rankings.

"Any win, whether it's in Asia, in Europe, in America, moves you forward. That's how you work out how well you're playing; take a look at the world rankings, they don't lie. To do this in a Ryder Cup year and move inside the top 20 on the world rankings means a heck of a lot."

World Rankings: 1. Luke Donald (ENG), 2. Lee Westwood (ENG), 3. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 4. Martin Kaymer (GER), 5. Adam Scott (AUS), 6. Steve Stricker (USA), 7. Dustin Johnson (USA), 8. Jason Day (AUS), 9. Charl Schwartzel (RSA), 10. Webb Simpson (USA), 11. Matt Kuchar (USA), 12. Nick Watney (USA), 13. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 14. Phil Mickelson (USA), 15. KJ Choi (KOR), 16. Ian Poulter (Eng), 17. Sergio Garcia (SPA), 18. Justin Rose (ENG), 19. Hunter Mahan (USA), 20. Paul Casey (ENG)

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