Poulter prevails in Houston
Ian Poulter had the best chestpounding celebration and has booked his ticket into this week’s Masters.
Poulter survived a playoff against PGA Tour rookie Beau Hossler, winning the first extra hole, the 18th, at the Houston Open on Sunday. With the victory, his first in the USA in a strokeplay event, Poulter received the last spot in the Masters.
The 42-year-old from Britain was told last week by reporters — erroneously it turned out — that he had done enough to get into the top 50 in the world rankings to make it to the Masters by reaching the quarterfinals of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play.
“Last week was painful,” he said. “And to come here this week I was tired, I was frustrated on Thursday. I didn’t play my best stuff.”
Poulter shot 73 in the first round and started packing his bags to go home to Florida, expecting he wouldn’t make the cut. But he shot 64-65-67 the next three days and birdied the final hole in regulation from 20 feet to get into a playoff. He and Hossler finished at 19-under 269.
Hossler, 23, had four consecutive birdies on the back nine to take a one- shot lead going to the final hole. In the playoff, his shot from a greenside bunker flew over the green and into the water, and he made triple bogey.
Jordan Spieth, the 2015 Masters champion, appears to be peaking at the right time, finishing with a 66 in the final round. He tied for third with Emilano Grillo.
Poulter, who has played well for Europe during the Ryder Cup, dedicated the victory to his wife, Katie, who was watching at home along with their children. “She’s been my rock the last few years,” he said. “She’s the reason I’m here.”