POULTER MAKES CUT FOR MASTERS AFTER WIN IN HOUSTON
What a way to earn the last spot in the field at the Masters.
take a bow, Ian Poulter. trailing his exciting playing partner Beau hossler by one shot on the 18th hole at the end of a classic duel at the houston Open yesterday, Mr Ryder Cup showed up.
Facing an all or nothing 20ft putt to force extra holes, Poulter rolled it in to send the crowd wild as he beat his chest jubilantly with his fist (below).
When they went back to the 18th tee for the play-off, his 23-year-old american opponent was clearly shattered, blading a bunker shot into the water to hand victory to the Englishman. Like many americans before, he’d just witnessed what it’s like to take on Poulter head-to-head.
tapping in the short winning putt to earn $1.2million plus the priceless Masters perk, Poulter let out a triumphant primal scream, just like Medinah in 2012. he’s back, make no mistake.
In a way it was a shame that either player missed out but, in shooting a final-round 67, hossler showed why he is considered one of america’s burgeoning talents, and his time will undoubtedly come again.
For 42-year-old Poulter this was a passport back into the big time. Not only the Masters, but this will also get him into every other big event this summer. Mark him down for a return to the Ryder Cup right now.
this time last week he was receiving the cruel news that he had missed out on the Masters by three-hundredths of a world ranking point — the margin separating him from the all-important top 50 who received invitations.
On thursday he had packed his bags in preparation for heading home after a poor first-round 73 had left him lying 123rd. Now he’s packing his bags for augusta after becoming the first man in 35 years to go from such a lowly first round position to win an event.
Believe it or not, this was his first strokeplay victory in america, and his first anywhere for over five years —and he did so with three concluding rounds of 64, 65 and 67.
When it was over, Poulter paid tribute to his wife, Katie.
‘this one is for her, because she’s been a rock,’ he said. ‘It’s been a tough few years with injuries and other stuff happening, and if it wasn’t for her I would not be standing here.
‘I had to dig deep today. Last week was painful, it was so disappointing, so to come through and get to the Masters and win my first strokeplay in america feels amazing.’
Poulter and hossler were tied for the lead going into the final round but it was the former who started strongly. For 14 holes he played flawlessly but couldn’t shake off the dogged hossler.
he looked more like a hustler as he made birdies off poor second shots to the par-five 13th and 15th holes. Four behind at one stage, almost unbelievably he was one ahead when Poulter hit his first bad shot at the 15th.
that looked as if it would be the decisive blow as they traded pars at the 16th and 17th — before Poulter’s stunning, sensational finish.
and so the most exciting Masters build-up in living memory had saved its very best story of all until last.
Poulter was not the only man in houston who can’t wait to smell the azaleas. For three rounds, Jordan Spieth had played better than anyone from tee to green and yet couldn’t putt. he stood 88th of the 90 players who made the halfway cut in putting and when did we ever think we’d see that?
a more customary service resumed as he rolled in a 25ft-putt at the 18th to complete a 66 for tied third place that gives him momentum heading towards his favourite major. all season, he’s watched his rivals in turn pick up a trophy this season while he has struggled. But the 24-year-old texan and Masters specialist might yet have the last laugh in Georgia after seeing a number of putts finally start to fall. ‘I’m really excited to see what next week holds,’ he said. aren’t we all, Jordan. aren’t we all.