Poulter stars in Texas

IAN POULTER dramatically earned the final Masters invitation, defeating American tour rookie Beau Hossler at the first extra playoff hole to capture the Houston Open yesterday.

Poulter now joins a Masters field of 87 competitors, returning to Augusta National for a first time since 2016 with his appearance making amends after falling short a week ago in trying to qualify for the year’s first major championship.

“I had to dig deep today and I am delighted with the way I played and how I’ve managed to come behind to win,” Poulter said.

Poulter, 42 had been three shots clear of his 23-year-old rival standing on the 11th tee but then found himself one behind when Hossler birdied four holes in succession from the 11th to move one shot clear at 19-under par.

Poulter then drew on his enormous Ryder Cup experience to hole a 20-foot birdie putt at the 72nd green to tie Hossler’s score of 67 and for both to finish on 19-under to send the event into extra holes.

Hossler then handed Poulter his first victory since 2012 in finding a fairway bunker with his drive and then sending his second into the water, eventually taking a triple bogey seven to Poulter’s victory par.

“I had a good read on my putt on the final green in regulation as Beau’s putt was on much the same line and I knew it was going to break a fraction right and it did, so I rolled it in at the right time,” said Poulter

Triple major winning Jordan Spieth gave his Masters goal a huge boost with a closing 66 to share third place with Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo (68). – AFP