Player Profile - Ian Poulter

This week’s player profile highlights the career of one of golf’s most colourful characters, England’s Ian Poulter. Born in the town of Hitchin in Hertfordshire, England - Poulter took to golf at the age of four after his father, also an excellent golfer, cut down a three wood for the young lad. Growing up with the game of golf, Poulter honed his skills by his father’s side. After completing his education, the young golfer took up the position of assistant pro at the Chesfield Downs golf club in his home town, before turning professional in 1996.

Poulter’s debut on the European golf circuit was marked by steady performance, his first victory on the Challenge Tour coming in 1999. Later in the season he won exemption to the European Tour by completing qualifying school. His first year was a successful one, with a win at the Italian Open earning him the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award in 2000. Since then Poulter has been in the top 10 on the European Tour almost every season, with a win at the Volvo Masters in 2004 and a place in the Ryder Cup team in the same year in which he scored the winning points for Europe. This victory also earned him a place on the US PGA Tour, which takes up part of his time each season.

This season, Poulter enjoyed his first victory on the US PGA Tour when he weathered difficult conditions to win at the WGC-Accenture Matchplay Championship in Arizona. Having dropped out of the world top 10 in the second half of the season, his place was restored at the weekend when he was victorious at the Hong Kong Open.

Ian Poulter is an outspoken and animated golfer, sometimes raising the ire of tournament officials for his occasional outbursts. Nonetheless, this talented British golfer enjoys a large following of dedicated fans who can look forward to many more of his impressive performances on the course.