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Poulter stars in Texas to punch ticket to Masters

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HOUSTON: Ian Poulter dramatically earned the final Masters invitation, defeating American tour rookie Beau Hossler at the first extra play-off hole to capture the Houston Open on Sunday.


Poulter now joins a Masters field of 87 competitors, returning to Augusta National for a first time since 2016 with his appearance making amends after falling short a week ago in trying to qualify for the year’s first Major championship.


“I had to dig deep today and I am delighted with the way I played and how I’ve managed to come behind to win,” Poulter said.


Poulter, 42 had been three shots clear of his 23-year-old rival standing on the 11th tee but then found himself one behind when Hossler birdied four holes in succession from the 11th to move one shot clear at 19-under par.


Poulter then drew on his enormous Ryder Cup experience to hole a 20-foot birdie putt at the 72nd green to tie Hossler’s score of 67 and for both to finish on 19-under to send the event into extra holes.


Hossler then handed Poulter his first victory since 2012 in finding a fairway bunker with his drive and then sending his second into the water, eventually taking a triple bogey seven to Poulter’s victory par.


“I had a good read on my putt on the final green in regulation as Beau’s putt was on much the same line and I knew it was going to break a fraction right and it did, so I rolled it in at the right time,” said Poulter.


The firebrand English golfer drew on his Austin disappointment a week ago when he missed out on a Masters’ berth by just .0302 of a World Ranking point. Poulter then lost his afternoon quarter-final encounter in Austin to move to World No. 51. — AFP


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