The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Only way is up for Poulter
Englishman eyeing rapid rise back to top of game
“Got to manage how I prepare. Hopefully I can go on a run”
Ian Poulter hopes a return to next year’s Ryder Cup venue can spark a rise up the world rankings which could lead to playing seven tournaments in succession this summer.
Poulter has never missed the cut in 11 appearances in the HNA Open de France at Le Golf National, which will host the biennial contest between Europe and the United States, in which Poulter has often been a key figure, in September next year.
The 41-year-old was third in 2006 and 2009 and fourth in 2012 and needs similarly good performances in his next three starts to claim one of the nine available places at Royal Birkdale through the Open qualifying series.
Moving into the world’s top 50 from his current position of 81st would also secure a place in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational ahead of the final major of the year, the US PGA championship at Quail Hollow.
“I’ve spent a good couple of weeks back home resting, preparing to come into the series of events right here, which is quite important,” said Poulter, who was second in the US tournament players championship at Sawgrass in May. “This is a tournament where I’ve performed well in the past. I’ve had some great finishes in France and hopefully I can have another one this week.
“If I can play the way I’d like to in the next three events – French Open, Irish Open Scottish Open – and somehow make my way into the Open championship, that would be four in a row.
“I’m playing the Canadian Open, that’s five. If I play and bring myself into the top 50 in the world, the WGC is the week after and then the US PGA.
“I’ve got to manage how I prepare. Hopefully I can go on a long run through the summer, win a couple of tournaments and move up in the rankings.”
The leading three players, who are not already exempt, who finish in the top 10 in Paris will earn a place in the Open, although Poulter has the back-up plan of Tuesday’s 36-hole final qualifier at his home club of Woburn.
One player who does not have any such worries is former world number one Martin Kaymer, whose 2014 US Open victory has already sealed his place at Birkdale. That remains the German’s last victory, a statistic the 32-yearold will be keen to address at a venue where he won in 2009 and has finished fifth and fourth the last two years.
“It’s one of those golf courses I’ve really enjoyed,” he said. “It’s Basketball player Stephen Curry has accepted a sponsor’s invite to compete in the Ellie Mae Classic in California on the Web.com Tour. The Golden State Warriors guard, who has a handicap of 2.2, will take part in the tournament – which benefits the Warriors Community Foundation – at TPC Stonebrae, San Francisco, in August. “When I found out I was getting a sponsor exemption, I had a lot of emotions because I love to play golf, it’s a passion of mine,” said Curry, a two-time NBA champion. “To play against the next and best golf professionals will be a huge honour. I’m looking forward to hopefully not embarrassing myself, but mostly having a lot of fun and raising a lot of money for the foundation.” It is not the first time tournament officials have offered an invite to one of the Bay Area’s biggest sports figures. Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice made three appearances in the event, missing the cut each time. Curry has spoken about his ambition to become a professional golfer after his career in basketball is over, saying: “I’ve thought about it. I’m very sensitive to the experience of the PGA Tour players who have dedicated their life to what they do, just like I have with basketball. I don’t think I could, obviously, just jump out there. It’d be a lot of work.” one of those courses where you don’t need to shoot five or six under par every round.”