Tag Archives: Ian Poulter

McIlroy Looked Down And Out

A young man form Northern Ireland who a couple of weeks ago couldn’t seem to string one round together yet alone four and looked like he was going to have to go back to the drawing board and figure out where it had all gone wrong. This  young man is called Rory McIlroy and he had different ideas coming into the US PGA Championship and he was back to his absolute best.

Playing well from day one he looked in okay form for the first two rounds but nothing that made you think he would go on and win, especially in the way that he did.

He held off an incredible challenge from friend and Ryder Cup team mate Ian Poulter to win the US PGA Championship in record-breaking fashion at Kiawah Island with a bogey free final round of 66 leaving everyone in amazement with another eight shot major victory matching his record breaking win at the US Open last year.

It really is a remarkable achievement for a man of that age. So far he is matching the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, he really is an incredible player and is the best player to watch when he’s on form.

Is the sky’s the limit for McIlroy? Can he do the grand slam?

 

My Picks For The Open Championship

The 141st Open Championship got under way at 6.19am this morning with Barry Lane hitting the first tee-shot at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The weather was calm but the scoring was still tough with bogeys being made everywhere, and poor American James Driscoll reaching the turn at  ten over par and England’s Robert Rock double bogeyed the first and third holes to reach four over after six.

But there have been good starts from Scot Paul Lawrie who is currently leading at three under par and Lee Westwood second at two under par after birdies at the first two holes.. There is lots of golf still to come today as play will still be going at 7pm tonight. I for one will be watching most of it!

If you’re thinking of having a flutter this week and want some advice on picking a winner then here are my picks for this week.

Tiger Woods

Stewart Cink

Matteo Manassero 

Ian Poulter

Matt Kucher

Good luck and enjoy the golf! Click here for the live leaderboard

 

Poulter Defeats Senden But Faces Tough Next Match

Ian Poulter began the defence of his title in style at the Volvo World Match Play Championship with a victory over Australian John Senden.

Poulter who won his first match 3&2 faces a tough test against Portugal Masters champion Tom Lewis in his second and final group game tomorrow.

Poulter who has also won the WGC-Accenture Match Play, went three ahead with a ten foot putt at the ninth and five footer on the short 12th.

The Englishman admitted that the half he got on the fourth  hole was a turning point in the contest.

“I said John was going to be a very steady opponent, and he was on front nine,” he said.

Can Poulter defeat Tom Lewis tomorrow? I think it will be a really tough test as young Tom Lewis is fearless and has a very old head on a young pair of shoulders. Should be an interesting contest!

2012 Ryder Cup Race Set To Begin

Ryder Cup Qualifying Starts On Thursday

The battle for 2012 Ryder Cup places is set to unfold as the first event in the race for qualification draws closer.

The European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre starts tomorrow with six players from the victorious 2010 team in the field.

“I’m excited the qualification period is starting. It will be interesting to see how the players perform,” said Europe’s 2012 Captain, Jose Maria Olazabel.

Ten players will qualify automatically, with Olazabal choosing two wildcards.

Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Miguel Angel Jimenez and brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari begin their campaigns in the Swiss Alps.

Five players automatically qualify through the European Tour‘s points list, with another five decided by the world rankings.

Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter and Padraig Harrington will all be looking for solid performances in the latest round of the FedEx Cup play-offs, which take place in Boston on Friday.

“It is going to be very difficult to make the team – to be one of the top five on the European points list or the world points list is going to be tough,” added Olazabal.

“The players will have to play really well to make it and I am sure they are preparing themselves to peak at the right times so that we can have the best chance to win.”

The 2012 Ryder Cup takes place at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois in September 2012.

The Leuka Mini Masters

An event I look forward to every summer is the Leuka Mini Masters  – ‘Golf’s Unofficial 5th Major’ which takes place at Dukes Meadows Golf Club every July, and has done for the last three years now.

I’m delighted to say that this fantastic charity tournament, which is hosted by actor Dougray Scott, returns to Dukes Meadows for its 4th year on 15th July 2011. A totally unique blend of charity golf day and summer garden party, it is now a firm fixture in both the golfing and social calendars.

The tournament’s unique atmosphere has attracted some of the biggest names in celebrity golf including Tim Henman, Hugh Grant, Rob Brydon, Jimmy Tarbuck, Jimmy Nesbitt, Jodie Kidd and Gianluca Vialli to name but a few.

The event kicked off in style yesterday evening with a Penthouse Launch Party at The Mayfair Hotel in Central London. My good friend Scott Margetts took some great photos which you can see by clicking here.

You can visit the official event page by clicking here, or follow the organisers on Twitter by clicking here.

Poulter Beats Donald In World Match Play Final

Ian Poulter beat Luke Donald 2&1 to win the World Match Play Championship in Spain on Sunday.

Had Donald won, he could have replaced Lee Westwood as world number one, but was unable to find form at the crucial times.

Poulter took the lead at the 14th and held his nerve to become the first player to win both world match play titles on either side of the Atlantic.

It was the 14th trophy of Poulter’s career but the first since the Hong Kong Open in November of last year. He moves up seven places in the world rankings as a result, from 22nd to 15th.

“I thought it would be pretty special to win this,” said Poulter.

“I finally started holing some putts. I’ve been frustrated for a few months and you have to hole putts to win.

“It’s a nice boost. Questions have been asked of me over the last five months.”

Poulter knocked out Westwood on his way to the final, and in a thrilling semi-final, he trailed Nicolas Colsaerts by two with four to play but fought back to take the match to sudden death. He then secured the win when the Belgian missed a par putt on the 19th hole.