GOLF: Ian Poulter claimed his second Italian Open title in three years after a dramatic last-hole collapse from former British Open champion Paul Lawrie in Rome.

Lawrie had moved into a one-shot lead with a birdie on the 17th while Poulter three-putted for a bogey, only for the Scot to then drive out of bounds on the 18th.

The 33-year-old from Aberdeen could only manage a double-bogey six and Poulter's birdie was the icing on the cake as he carded a closing 69 for a 19-under total, a two-shot winning margin and the £115,000 first prize.

Lawrie's final-round 70 was still good enough for second place with local favourite Emanuele Canonica, Dane Anders Hansen and Londoner Anthony Wall sharing third another two back.

Padraig Harrington shared sixth place on 14 under after a final-round 63, which was not enough for him to overtake Retief Goosen at the top of the Order of Merit ahead of the final event of the season, the Volvo Masters, next week.

Harrington, who needed to finish fourth on his own but reduced his deficit to €23,120, said: "I don't think I've ever shot 63 and walked off the course so disappointed. I missed a lot of chances out there, I must have missed half a dozen.

"I birdied the four par threes and had eagle chances on the four par fives, including missing one from no more than four feet on the 15th.

"A couple of shots better would have made all the difference. A shot or two would have been enough to make a big cheque.

"The loss of the second day (wiped out due to thunderstorms) has turned out to be reasonably costly but at least I have got up there and done something. I haven't just made a few thousand pounds. If I did I would think 'Was it worth coming here and tiring myself out for that cheque?' But it is worth coming here now for this."

Poulter, who had led since his sparkling course record 61 on Thursday, was delighted: "It was neck and neck all the way and it got very interesting towards the end. Unbelievable!"

"Unfortunately for Paul he hit it out of bounds on the last, I don't think he knew there was out of bounds over there. Then there was a little less pressure on my shot but I still wanted to make a three and it feels absolutely fantastic.

"I hadn't won this year before now and I want to win every year, I've made that clear throughout my pro career. There were only two tournaments to go so I put a lot of pressure on my shoulders and it was awesome to go out there and do it.

"It was a tremendous advantage to play as well as I did on the first day and if I had let it go I would have been upset."

Not half as upset no doubt as Lawrie, who saw a second victory of the season disappear with his dreadful tee shot on the last.

"I don't know what happened yet, to be honest," said Lawrie. "I thought I hit a pretty good swing and it came off at an unbelievable angle, right out of bounds.

"I would have bet my house on making a four up the last. Apart from the 18th I've not hit it off line all day. Disappointing is not the word."

Lawrie began the day a shot behind but immediately wiped out the deficit with a birdie on the first, but three birdies in four holes from the fifth saw Poulter back ahead by the turn.

He went two clear when Lawrie bogeyed the 11th after finding a greenside bunker, but Lawrie birdied the 12th and 15th to get back on level terms.

Both players found the same bunker on the 16th but only Poulter was able to get up and down to save par and take a one-shot lead to the 17th.

The 26-year-old found trouble with his second shot to the par five however and then three-putted for a bogey six, Lawrie's birdie from 15 feet suddenly giving him a one-shot lead with one to play.

Lawrie carved his drive out of bounds however and missed from 10 feet for a bogey five, Poulter having the luxury of two putts for the win but only needing one from five feet.