Filed under: Golf
Sweden's Robert Karlsson ended his season with a victory in the Dubai World Championship - but needed a play-off to overcome Ian Poulter.On a day when Germany's Martin Kaymer was officially crowned Europe's No.1, Karlsson forced the play-off after a birdie on the final hole as Poulter could only manage a par.
The pair needed two attempts to decide the tournament, but there was an anti-climactic finish when Poulter picked up a one-shot penalty on the green when his marker moved after he dropped his ball on it.
Poulter, who took a six on the par-five, said:"The ball slipped from my hand two or three inches from the coin and the coin flipped over."
However, the mistake did not ultimately cost him the hole because Karlsson made his putt for a birdie.
Karlsson said:"I'm sorry Ian got the punishment, but it certainly made my putt a lot easier."
Poulter had looked on course for victory after stretching his lead to two shots when he holed from off the green on the 12th hole.
But birdies proved elusive for Poulter in the closing stages and Karlsson was able to close the gap and force the extra hole
The 18th hole was the stage and both men played marvellous approach shots to birdie it at the first attempt, setting the stage for Poulter's marker mistake - and Karlsson's victory.
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