I could have holed a few more putts, Poulter says

Abu Dhabi: Ian Poulter, who lost out on the final hole to Martin Kaymer yesterday said he was frustrated at having to finish second best at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

Poulter, who shared the lead on the opening day and was reeling birdies midway through the final day told Gulf News that "It's a nice start to the season I guess. If you're going to take the positives out of that, I'm pretty frustrated that I've walked away shooting that score and I haven't won.

"If you had given me 6-under at the start of the day I would have taken it. But being 6-under through 12 holes, I would definitely have not taken it, Poulter said, adding, "I could have holed a few more putts."

"I would like to have stamped my foot down a bit harder. The first three birdies, really, I wanted to get fast out of the gate, and I did. It should have been birdied 4 and I had a great chance at 5. Birdied six. I could have been 6-under through the first six holes and that would have troubled him but it's a shame," a disappointed Poulter said.

However, Poulter ended on a more positive note, "I am confident, I am comfortable on the gold course. I am happy at home. The kids are getting on great at school and we have got a new puppy and I am happy on the gold course. What more can you want? When there's other parts of the world that are suffering right now, you just realise how fortunate you are to be in this situation playing golf in the sunshine and earning an awful lot of money, so very fortunate."

McIlroy finishes third

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, who finished third, said, "It's still a great way to start the season, last group and going down the last, one behind, and getting the juices flowing again. It was a nice feeling and hopefully that will set the tone for the rest of the year."

"I think we all played great golf which is the most important thing. We all made birdies and we all hung in there. Martin made a great birdie at the last, set up a great tee shot. He gave the crowd some pleasure out there today and that was nice," said McIlroy.