Poulter to defend World Match Play title

Published Mar. 29, 2012 7:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

Ian Poulter will defend his World Match Play Championship title in southern Spain next month after confirming his place in the tournament's 24-man field.

Poulter defeated fellow Englishman Luke Donald 2 and 1 in the final last year to underline his reputation as one of the grittiest matchplay performers on the circuit.

The 36-year-old Poulter said Thursday that ''with the fact that it's a Ryder Cup year, I think it will be even more exciting this year with every match from the group stages to the final a chance for aspiring team members to impress (Europe) captain (Jose Maria) Olazabal.''

The tournament will be staged at the Finca Cortesin course near Malaga from May 17-20.