Poulter’s relaxed mood could help him ease to his first Major glory
IAN POULTER doesn’t care any more if he never wins The Open – which might be the key to him finally getting his hands on the Claret Jug. The Ryder Cup hero declared he’s playing some of the best golf of his life after signing for a 67 yesterday to romp into the hunt at the Scottish Open. Ten years ago such a bold statement would have been roared with fearless intent to step up and win the Major title he’s been threatening to claim since he burst on to the scene with his spiky hair and funky dress sense. But the older and wiser Poulter who stood in front of the Renaissance clubhouse yesterday is a different animal from the exciteable, brash peacock who once famously declared that when he plays his best “it’ll be just me and Tiger”. The sobering reality of almost losing your PGA Tour card following a collapse in form in 2017 undoubtedly played its part in the 43-year-old’s humble, more relaxed view of the game and its place in the bigger picture of life. Yet by no longer putting pressure on himself to deliver on the hype – as he famously does for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup – Poulter might have stumbled across the final piece of the jigsaw as he prepares for Portrush next week. Poulter said: “You know, I don’t have to win one. It sounds wrong for me to say I don’t care if I do or I don’t. But it’s not the be all and end all of my life if I don’t. “I just want to play some nice golf. Luke [his son] is going to be with me – and it’s nice to be in this position. “If one comes along and I get my hands one one, great. I tell you what, the party is going to be pretty impressive! “But, until it does, I’m not thinking about it. I’ve been chilled about it for a couple of years, since it was all going horribly wrong. “My life is great. It was pretty miserable a couple of years ago, I have to say, although not that miserable when compared to certain things happening around the world. “But it just kind of puts things into perspective. Now I’m comfortable with my game. I’m 43, I’m happy and I’m playing some of the best golf of my life. “I wouldn’t say it’s the best I’ve felt going into an Open – not at No.38 in the world. I’ve been going into a couple of Opens inside the world’s top 10. Being a bit BY EUAN McLEAN younger and a bit more fiery, maybe nine years ago, I would have felt more confident.
“But I’m a little bit older and wiser, greyer too, and probably a bit more chilled, to be honest.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m still competitive. I always want to kick someone’s backside on a snooker table. That’s my make-up.
“I don’t want to lose at a game of cards, I don’t want to lose a game of pool or snooker – or anything.
“I’ll be a horrible person to play against at anything, because that’s just in my nature to be that way. That’s never going to leave me.”
Unburdened by his own ambition and the expectation of others, he’s relishing the prospect of flying in under the radar at an event where he often made himself the centre of attention due to his garish choice of outfits.
From the famous Union Jack trousers – perhaps not a great idea amidst the troubled political backdrop of next week’s venue – to the slacks with the Claret Jug embossed on each leg, he knew how to hog the limelight if not the prize. He accepts there was a time when this week would have been spent planning what outfits to wear, but now he likes the idea of creeping up on the field quietly.
Poulter added: “Look, I still ironed clothes last night so they’d look sharp today. That hasn’t changed. But I don’t have the clown shoes on. That’s one difference, so I don’t have that pressure. It was a bit busier back then, to be honest. It’s a lot calmer today.
“There are obviously going to be a lot of other golfers feeling more pressure than me, going into next week. It’s perfect. It’s all on Brooks, Rory, DJ, Rosie and all the others.
“So I can fly under the radar a little bit and have a bit of fun, see what happens. I’m happy to go into Majors feeling that way and playing some good golf. It’s a great position to be in.”
IAN POULTER