Poulter back on right road but can’t stop Kim
Ian Poulter’s brilliant adventure at the Players Championship fell short of victory yesterday but he signed off his stunning return to the big time with one of the best shots of his career.
Facing calamity at the 18th hole after shanking his mid-iron second shot into a palmetto bush, Poulter dropped out under penalty. Hundreds of thousands of dollars and scores of world ranking points were disappearing before his eyes.
From trying to chase down the 21-year-old Korean Si Woo Kim, Poulter was now in danger of undoing so much of his earlier good work.
It was at this point the 41-year-old summoned up the Ryder Cup warrior within. He played the 90-yard shot so well it carried over the trees in front of him and finished inches from the hole for a bogey five.
It gave him a share of second place with South african Louis Oosthuizen and takes care of business in terms of keeping his PGa Tour card for next year.
This morning, he can look forward to a leap of more than 100 places in the rankings from his present placing of 197th.
‘It feels great to be back, and particularly following one of the worst shots you’ll ever see with a pretty good one,’ said Poulter, referring to his miraculous escape at the last.
as for the victor, Kim became the youngest winner of this event in terrific fashion, shooting a last-round 69 to win by three. Everyone else in the field had at least two bogeys while he had none.
Kim said: ‘I feel like I’m still dreaming. I never expected I was going to win this.
‘I wasn’t doing that well at the beginning of this year, but I’m so excited I am champion.’
Poulter had started the day with a morning with the kids on Jacksonville beach searching for shark teeth, followed by an afternoon fighting the big fish for a near $2million (£1.5m) jackpot.
On a day when players as good as defending champion Jason Day and Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose failed to break 80, the quality and nerve displayed was impressive.
It was 14 months since Poulter mustered so much as a top ten and four years since the last of his 16 pro wins.
Yet last Wednesday on the practice range he was relaxed and confident, and spoke about finally clearing away the clutter that had prevented him from performing to his ability. He talked about the changes he’d made, from splitting with his management company IMG and going back to Paul Dunkley, who looked after his affairs when he first turned pro. How his caddy of 11 years Terry Mundy had become his road manager — he’s struggling with a chronic back injury — and been replaced by James Walton.
‘He’s swinging a lot better, no doubt about it,’ said leading coach Pete Cowen.
Three weeks ago, Poulter thought he’d lost his card, only for the tour to own up to a horrendous cock-up. Here he revelled in his reprieve.
Welcome back, Poults.