OPEN runner-up Ian Poulter knew he had fallen short in his final round at Royal Birkdale but he remained positive about finishing second to Padraig Harrington.
The Englishman carded a one-under 69 to set the clubhouse lead at seven over with the defending champion still out on the course five groups behind.
However, missed birdie putts at the 13th and the 17th cost the 32-year-old the chance to exert mor
e pressure on the leader and the Irishman finished eagle-par to retain the Claret Jug by four strokes.
"At the start of the day when you tee off you have a score in mind. I shot what I thought was a good round of golf and I would have taken one under par before I went out," he said.
"I should have finished a couple more under. I missed a good opportunity on 13 from five feet and then I go and three-putt 17, which is a little bit frustrating.
"I was two over through three holes and that was not the best of starts. However, I could see that conditions weren't going to get any easier and I thought if I could keep hitting good shots, giving myself chances and roll a few putts in then it could turn around quickly.
"The holes started to open up a bit on the back nine and I rolled a couple in and played solidly down the stretch while guys were struggling behind me.
"Perhaps I might have pushed Paddy a little bit harder but hats off to Padraig, going back-to-back is pretty impressive. The shot he hit into 17 (for eagle] was quite awesome. Every credit to Padraig."
Having signed his card Poulter went to the practice ground to hit a few shots just in case there was a play-off but once he saw Harrington, two ahead at that point, nail his approach to the 17th he knew his chance had gone.
"I was watching from the practice pool cabin when Padraig did that. It could all still have gone wrong but he's hit a five-wood perfectly to five feet," added Poulter, who paid tribute to Harrington's achievement in becoming only the sixth man since the Second World War to retain his title.
"He's gone out there and done his stuff on the back nine. He's played incredibly. Back-to-back Opens haven't been done that often."
The full article contains 411 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
