Old Faithful lives. Ian Poulter leaned on an old friend this week to pull himself from the depths of mediocrity into the winners circle at the Houston Open. A few weeks ago at the Arnold Palmer Invitational he pulled out his old, reliable putter that earned him fame and a killer reputation in Ryder Cups past. 
It’s the same putter he used at Medinah in 2012 where he went 4-0-0 and thrilled everyone including his playing partners, opponents and fans with the hottest of putting streaks to lead the Europeans to a stunning comeback victory. He called that putter “Old Faithful.”
He needed to put it to the test again on the 72nd hole to earn a playoff spot. Poulter had the lead slip away as the youngster Beau Hossler strung four birdies together to blow past him and take a one shot lead into eighteen.
But true to his reputation (which may have been a bit tarnished recently) as a clutch putter, he stepped up and drained the 20 foot putt and reacted with vintage Poulter: fists clenched, pounds his chest, punctuated with his primal scream. Classic Poults…ever the showman.
The playoff was anti-climatic as Hossler found a bunker then the water, took a seven and Poulter’s par four was never it doubt.
It’s true redemption for Poulter who had been struggling of late and hasn’t won since 2012. In fact he had never won a stroke play tournament on the PGA Tour in the states with his two wins consisting of the Match Play and the HSBC Champions in China.
This had to be a bit extra special since his battle to try and get into the top 50 in the world to gain a Masters invite had been on his mind for months. Last week after the third round of the Match Play he was told by the media that he was 50th in the world and therefore in The Masters. But just as he was teeing off in the afternoon he was told he was actually was 51st. His disappointment showed in his play as he was wiped out by Kevin Kisner 8 & 6.
But this wins negates all that and puts him back on the PGA Tour for two more seasons and into The Masters and well on his way to his most coveted place in golf…a spot on the European Ryder Cup Team. I bet Old Faithful makes the trip to France.
Poulter was emotional afterwards as he recognized his difficult times and total support he has received from his family. “Last week was painful, and to come here this week, I was tired, I was frustrated on Thursday, I didn’t play my best stuff. I packed my bags obviously to leave on Friday, and, a mental switch, I said to Jamie today, you know what, let’s just go play golf, see what happens” Poulter said. “I was patient, I waited my time, and this is amazing, you know I haven’t won a stroke play event in the states, so, to do it this week after the disappointment of last week, to know I’m going to Augusta to do it in true fashion is amazing.
“This one’s for Katie, my wife, she’s been a rock for the last few years and it’s been tough, it’s been hard. I’ve been injured, and it’s been difficult. There’s been stuff going on and she’s the reason why I’m here.”
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