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Widely regarded as one of the most colourful and exciting players in the world of golf, Ian Poulter has enjoyed a long and illustrious career since turning professional in 1995.
The Titleist player’s impressive resume and eccentric style have helped to establish him as a firm favourite amongst spectators and competitors alike on both the PGA and European Tours.
Born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire in January 1976, Poulter took up golf at the age of four when his single-handicap father gave him a cut-down 3-wood club. He then went on to become the assistant pro and golf shop manager at the Chesfield Downs Golf Club after he was unable to get a place at a private establishment.
At the age of 19 Poulter turned professional, enjoying his maiden victory at the 1999 Open de Cote d'lvoire on the Challenge Tour, before winning a promotion to the European Tour qualifying school later that year.
One of golfer’s most notable victories came in 2011 at the Volvo World Match Play Championship, where he held fellow countryman Luke Donald back from the top spot in the official world rankings to remain behind compatriot Lee Westwood.
Poulter's astonishing performance - where he triumphed 2&1 at Finca Cortesin - came at the end of a difficult dry spell for the golfer.
“I finally started holing some putts,” he said after the victory. “I've been frustrated for a few months and you have to hole putts to win.”
The wins continued to come his way when at the end of 2011 Poulter took the crown at the Australian Masters in Melbourne. Emerging victorious by three-strokes over Geoff Ogilvy.
“To come down here the week before Christmas and to win this tournament is very special,” Poulter said at the time.
In 2012 the golfer became one of the “captain’s picks” for the Ryder Cup. Poulter went on to win all four of his matches and help boost the team to its win over the U.S. That same year Poulter pulled off an amazing victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions in China, coming from 4-strokes behind during the final round to win by 2.
The 2013 season was a consistent one for Poulter with the golfer making 13 out of 16 cuts on the PGA Tour as well as four, top 10 finishes.
In September 2014, Poulter was named a wild card pick for Paul McGinley’s Ryder Cup Team.
After a slow start that saw Poulter and playing partner Stephen Gallacher, lose fourballs to Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed on the Friday, the Englishman bounced back late Saturday to halve his match with partner Rory McIlroy against Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker.
As of March 2018 Poulter was ranked number 29 in the world.
Career Wins:
2000- Italian Open
2001- Moroccan Open
2002- Italian Open
2003- Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open
2003- Nordic Open
2004- Volvo Masters Andalucia
2006- XXXII Banco Madrid Valle Romano
Open de Madrid Golf Masters
2009- Barclays Singapore Open
2010- WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship
2010- UBS Hong Kong Open
2011- Volvo World Match Play Championship
2012- WGC-HSBC Champions
2018 - Houston Open
