Ian Poulter
Residence: Milton Keynes, England
DOB: 01/10/1976
Ian Poulter is one of Europe’s best golfers with over €20million in career prize money and 7 European Tour wins to his name. Poulter took up golf at the age of four when his father, a single-digit handicapper, gave him a cut-down 3-wood and clearly has golf in his genes as older brother Danny is also a professional golfer.
Poulter's first professional win was the Open de Côte d'Ivoire on the European Tour's second tier Challenge Tour in 1999, and he won promotion to the European Tour itself via the Qualifying School later that year. In his first season he claimed the Italian Open title and was the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. Further wins followed in each of the next four seasons, most prestigiously the season ending "tour championship" the Volvo Masters in 2004. These wins saw him finish inside the top-10 of the European Tour Order of Merit in 2003, 2004 and 2006.
He is well known for his startling haircuts and outlandish clothing – he even uses a headcover which looks like him! (Don’t believe us? If you’re feeling brave you actually buy it from us by clicking the headcover section on the left).
It is not only his hair and clothing that have seen Poulter get headlines in the past. At the Mercedes-Benz Championship in September 2007, Poulter smashed a tee marker in a show of frustration and was fined. In the March issue of Golf World (UK) Poulter was quoted saying "Don't get me wrong, I really respect every professional golfer, but I know I haven't played to my full potential and when that happens, it will be just me and Tiger." At the 2008 Dubai Desert Classic, Poulter said that he was misquoted, and that he aspired to be ranked #2, behind Tiger in the world rankings.
He’s an avid Arsenal fan - even to the extent of wearing the team’s crest on his shoes, and loves his fast cars with a Ford GT40, Nissan skyline and Aston Martin DB9 already in his collection. Our biog photo of Ian - looking strangely sensible - was taken at the TPC Sawgrass - golf’s 5th Major - in May 2007 where he finished a respectable 28th.
In addition to his golfing career, Poulter launched Ian Poulter Design (IJP) in the summer of 2007 and his design company will design the uniforms for the Great Britain and Ireland team in the 2008 Curtis Cup.
The highlight of Ian’s 2008 season came in July at the British Open when after holding the lead after 54 holes has missed out on his first Major crown to eventual winner Padraig Harrington. Ian was controversial captains pick for the 2008 Ryder Cup. He repaid the trust that European captain Nick Faldo showed in him by finishing the event as the highest points scorer on either side; securing 4 of Europe's 11.5 points.
Ian Poulter Club History
Below is a selection of clubs used by Ian Poulter throughout his career
Ian Poulter Tournament History
2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational |
13-16 March - Arnold Palmer Invitational - Bay Hill Club and Lodge. In typical Tiger fashion, the world #1 sank a 24-foot putt on the 72nd hole at Bay Hill for his fifth consecutive win, much to the annoyance of Bart Bryant who was looking for his first win since 2005. This was his biggest challenge since this streak began 7 months ago, Woods outlasted 45-year-old Bart Bryant and won with a birdie putt on the 72nd hole for the first time in 7 years. He turned and slammed his cap to the ground, letting out a roar to celebrate his 64th career victory, tying Ben Hogan at #3 on the PGA Tour career list. |
In Ian Poulter's bag...In Poulters bag at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2008, along with his non-mistakable driver headcover, Cobra Pro MB irons, and Speed Pro 3 Wood.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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2007 Barclays Scottish Open |
12-15 July - The Barclays Scottish Open - Loch Lomond. As the curtain raiser to the Open Championship the following week at Carnoustie, the Barclays Scottish Open attracted some of the biggest names in the world – Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Luke Donald and others all made the trip. It wasn’t, however, one of the big names who walked away with the £50,000 first prize – but a virtually unknown Frenchman - Gregory Havret - who holed a tricky 5-footer on the first extra hole to beat world no 3 Phil Mickelson in a play-off. The title also earned Havret the last remaining spot at the Open. |
In Ian Poulter's bag...In Ian Poulter's bag at the Scottish Open are the new Cobra Pro MB irons which - as of July 07 - are not available to the public. Under the headcovers, we believe are the same woods as at Sawgrass - Cobra Speed S driver and Cobra X Speed fairway woods.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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2007 The Players Championship |
10-13 May - The Players Championship - TPC at Sawgrass - Stadium Course. The Players Championship (TPC) has for a long time been considered golf’s ‘5th’ Major because of the traditionally very strong field – typically the top 50 players in the world congregate to battle it out for the huge prize money. The victor this time was Phil Mickelson who, helped by Tiger’s old coach, Butch Harmon, bagged the $1.62m first prize and the 31st PGA Tour victory of his career after finishing with a 3-under 69 and a two-stroke victory over Sergio Garcia. Stewart Cink and Jose Maria Olazabal a further stroke back tied 3rd. The Stadium course is famous for its tiny island green on the par 3 17th – which this time proved a watery grave for a record 94 golf balls (it’s not just us handicappers who end up in the drink). This was Mickelson’s first victory at the TPC after 14 attempts. |
In Ian Poulter's bag...Under Poulter's headcovers at the TPC, a Cobra Speed Pro 8.5 degree driver and Cobra X Speed 13 degree fairway wood. The irons are Cobra's new Carbon CB Forged and the wedges are Titleist Vokeys.
(CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE VERSION). |
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