RISE OF THE BRITS

IAN POULTER’S stirring victory was the third in four weeks for UK golfers on the PGA Tour. Roll on the Masters…

÷ MARCH 11: VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP

Record crowds turned up hoping to see Tiger Woods win but it was Englishman Paul Casey who completed a fine comeback victory of his own, his first in America since the 2009 Houston Open.

÷ MARCH 18: ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

Woods was in the mix once more but this time it was Rory McIlroy who denied him with a wonderful back nine on Sunday, featuring five birdies in his last six holes to end an 18-month barren run.

÷ APRIL 1: HOUSTON OPEN

It looked as if Poulter was going to fall agonisingly short until he holed a typically gutsy 20ft putt on the 18th to force a play-off against American Beau Hossler. He won on the first extra hole for his first stroke play success in America.