POULTER’S A RYDER CUP BOLTER

Poulter is embarking on a seven-week stretch of lucrative events, including Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Dubai, which could go a long way to securing a place on Colin Montgomerie’s team at Celtic Manor.

And after posting a one-over-par 72 at Sentosa Golf Club to edge out China’s Liang Wen-Chong, Poulter has moved up to fourth in the standings.

After claiming his first title since the Dunlop Phoenix in 2007, 33-year-old Poulter will also move into the top 15 in the Race to Dubai. He said: “It is the right time to win, I wanted to come out and put as much money on the board as I could. I have got off to a great start.

“I have got three more tournaments included for the Race to Dubai and I think I have a chance of pushing Rory McIlroy or Lee Westwood all the way.”