With the pressure soaring, Ian Poulter produced three of the best rounds of his career in the Houston Open to go from one-over to 19-under par and cement his place at Augusta this week by lifting the title.
The Englishman had to win the event to secure the final spot in the Masters and he did that in dramatic style by holing a 20-footer to enforce a playoff where he prevailed on the first extra hole against Beau Hossler.
When you take “walking it in” to the next level. pic.twitter.com/hbsbE58M8O
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 2, 2018
The 42 year old was erroneously informed by the media that he had secured a Masters spot in last week’s WGC Matchplay by reaching the quarter-final. However, to secure his spot the world’s top 50, he had in-fact had to reach the semi-final to get into this coveted position. He wasn’t even sure if he would bother travelling to Houston this week but he’ll certainly be ecstatic he did now.
“Last week was painful and to come here this week, I was tired and frustrated,” Poulter said. “This is amazing. My first strokeplay win in the States and to do it with the Masters on the line is unbelievable. It’s been a tough few years with injuries and stuff and I must thank my wife, Katie, for helping me through it.”
Poults’ stunning victory, which was his first since 2012, was proven by the fact that in the last 35 years the PGA Tour has never witnessed any player coming from as low down as 123rd on the first-round leaderboard to take home the title.
It’s brilliant to see him back in the winner’s circle, and what a time to do it with the Ryder Cup now just five months away.
