HARRY PUTTER
Poulter reverts to the magic wand he used at Medinah and says: If anything can get the juices flowing, it’s this baby
IAN POULTER will take inspiration from his Ryder Cup putter as he seeks to qualify for the Masters this week.
The world No.64 has to advance from the group stages at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Texas to have any chance of climbing into the top 50 and earning an Augusta invite.
Poulter, now 42, recorded his only win on American soil in this event when he beat Paul Casey in the 2010 final. But he will use his magic wand from the Miracle at Medinah when he takes on Tommy Fleetwood in his opening round-robin match today.
“I went to the putter stash in my office and pulled out the Medinah putter for this week,” he tweeted. “If there is a putter that can get the juices flowing, it’s this baby. Let’s be doing this. I want to play this year’s Masters.”
At the 2012 Ryder Cup in Medinah, Poulter inspired Europe to one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history, helping to turn a 10-4 deficit into a stunning one-point victory.
Poulter was described as a “match play ninja” during the draw ceremony which saw Americans Daniel Berger and Kevin Chappell also come out in Group 9.
“I’ve never gone up against a ninja in my life – hopefully Medinah is just a memory!” laughed world No.12 Fleetwood (near right). “But it’s a World Match Play – you’re not going to get any easy draws.
“I’m happy to play anyone. I know all three well and I’ve known Ian pretty well over the last couple of years – it will be nice to play against them.”
Two-time finalist Casey and Matthew Fitzpatrick are drawn together in Group 10 while Ryder Cup partners Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed will clash in Group 4. Tiger Woods has not qualified but Bay Hill winner Rory McIlroy (below) will tee up for the final time before Augusta. The world No.7 will face Peter Uihlein in his opening match in Group 6 before playing Brian Harman and Jhonattan Vegas. Security has been stepped up in Austin after a fifth parcel bomb linked to a suspected serial bomber exploded at a Texas FedEx depot yesterday. Three other devices were hidden in parcels left at residential addresses in Austin.