Poults ran out of gas, but what a ride

By now, the disappointment of not closing the deal in Hilton Head on Sunday will have surely worn off for a plainly exhausted Ian Poulter, and he will be reflecting with considerable pride on the six-week road trip of a lifetime.

never mind that he didn’t pull off what would have been a barely credible second PGA Tour strokeplay victory in three weeks, after waiting 228 events for his first.

when he began his sequence of six straight tournaments, he was irritated with his form this season, barely on anyone’s radar for the Ryder Cup and with no status to play in any of the majors or other elite-field events over the summer.

now look at him. He has a shiny trophy with his name on it, another appearance at the Masters to add to the collection, three more majors to play in, a two-year PGA Tour exemption, a bank balance swelled to the tune of £1.4million and, oh, does anyone seriously think he won’t get a wild card to play in Paris in September?

At the very least, he’s currently leading against a certain American when it comes to the most spectacular comeback by a 42-year-old golfer this year.