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Buoyant Poulter eager to break major duck in 2013

Ian Poulter is riding the crest of a wave © PA Photos

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Ian Poulter credited the confidence he picked up at the Ryder Cup for his victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions on Sunday, as he now targets a major victory in 2013.

Poulter became just the second European (after Darren Clarke) to win two World Golf Championship events, as he held on to clinch victory at the lucrative tournament.

He pinpointed his decisive role at the recent Ryder Cup at Medinah as crucial to giving him the confidence to pick up one of the biggest victories of his career to date, noting that he hopes his form will continue over the remainder of the season.

"It's been an amazing five or six weeks with the Ryder Cup and then coming here in good spirits," Poulter said. "I played well last week and took a lot from that. I knew that if I stayed patient I'd be right there at the end.

"I feel confident with the putter right now. It's so nice to get my hands on another trophy and get back in the winner's circle."

Despite his form in the most high-profile events - especially matchplay ones - Poulter has yet to win a major championship, something he is desperate to rectify in 2013.

He added: "Two world championships are great, of course, but a major is the biggest dream.

"People keep asking all the time 'when, when, when'. I don't know when and I'm trying really hard - I'll do my best next year."

His reward for victory at Mission Hills is a rise in the world rankings from 26 to 15, while Rory McIlroy remains at world No. 1.

World rankings: 1. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 2. Tiger Woods (USA), 3. Luke Donald (ENG), 4. Lee Westwood (ENG), 5. Justin Rose (ENG), 6. Adam Scott (AUS), 7. Jason Dufner (USA), 8. Webb Simpson (USA), 9. Brandt Snedeker (USA), 10. Louis Oosthuizen (SAF), 11. Bubba Watson (USA), 12. Steve Stricker (USA), 13. Phil Mickelson (USA), 14. Keegan Bradley (USA), 15. Ian Poulter (ENG), 16. Nick Watney (USA), 17. Matt Kuchar (USA), 18. Dustin Johnson (USA), 19. Peter Hanson (SWE), 20 Ernie Els (SAF)

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