Poulter is a dead cert for France
Regardless of where he finishes tonight, it’s been great to see Ian Poulter at Augusta this week.
His heroics in winning the Houston Open last Sunday to gain the last possible Masters spot was a great piece of sporting theatre.
Obviously, it made for a good headline for this tournament, but it was so much more significant than that.
Ian is back in the top 50 and has guaranteed his place in the other three Majors this year, as well as secured his PGA Tour privileges.
That means he can now play a strong schedule in Europe this summer to achieve his next goal – the Ryder Cup.
Unless the Englishman’s game collapses in that time, I think he’s a shoo-in for the European team.
Watching the way he holed that 20-foot putt on 18 in Houston to earn a play-off with Beau Hossler, how can Thomas Bjorn face the Americans at Le Golf National without him?
That was Ryder Cup Poulter. When he channels that passion and grit, he is a match for anybody.
With four wildcards, Bjorn has plenty of room for manoeuvre. Even if Poulter doesn’t make one of the eight automatic spots, I fully expect him to be picked.
I didn’t expect him to go well this week because winning in that manner would have taken a lot out of him.
But Ian wouldn’t have it any other way, and in the circumstances, playing all four rounds is a good effort.
That was beyond Sergio Garcia, whose reign as Masters Champion ended at the par-five 15th on day one.
To take a 13 was incredible, and hard to watch. Just think last year, his eagle in the final round there was so pivotal in him beating Justin Rose.
But that is golf. You think you’ve cracked a course or a certain hole and bang, that happens.
After seeing Sergio hit five balls into the water with identical shots, people ask why he didn’t alter his approach.
But a pro always thinks he is going to hit the perfect shot. You always feel you will get it right.
I would advise Sergio to check the grooves on his wedges, though, because I saw players hold shots into the 15th green with hybrid clubs.
From that moment, he was bound to miss the cut. But it won’t detract from what has been a very special year with the Green Jacket.
Ahead of The Masters, we were wondering if Sergio might be putting it on Tiger Woods’ shoulders tonight.
Maybe we all got a bit carried away as Tiger hasn’t looked ready for Major golf.
It’s a positive that he made the cut, but his game still needs work.
He hasn’t been good enough off the tee and that gets shown up at Augusta.
In the first two rounds, he often resorted to a three wood as playing partners Marc Leishman and Tommy Fleetwood sent it miles past him with their drivers.
Sadly, Tiger won’t be in the mix, but lots of great players will be as The Masters is won on those last nine holes.