Poulter after tour bow

IAN Poulter is targeting a lucrative first appearance in the season-ending Tour Championship after his renaissance i n the US PGA Championship.

After playing j ust 13 tournaments last year due to a foot injury, Poulter had 10 events this season to earn enough FedEx Cup points or money to retain a full PGA Tour card.

He came up short i n both categories after missing the cut i n the Valero Texas Open in April but American Brian Gay, who was also playing on a medical exemption after back problems, then alerted officials to a discrepancy in the points structure used for players competing in that category.

Poulter made the most of his reprieve by finishing second i n t he Players Championship on his next start and has not missed a halfway cut since, finishing 14th in the Open at Royal Birkdale and 22nd at Quail Hollow.

Such performances have lifted the 41-year-old to 58th in the world and 46th i n the FedEx Cup standings.

The top 30 after the first three play-off events, which get under way next week, qualify for the Tour Championship in Atlanta — where a $10 million bonus is on offer for the overall winner.

“From the start of the season to where I stand right now is miles apart, from a mental standpoint, from a playing standpoint,” Poulter said. “I feel like kind of the old me is back, which is nice.

“Last week was a disappointment. I’m walking away needing a break, needing a bit of a rest and to refresh for the play-offs.”

Ian Poulter