Ian Poulter appeared to be heading for the disaster of LIV Golf relegation only to escape at the 11th hour, and his week has got even better with his son achieving a huge milestone
It has been a good week for Ian Poulter(Image: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Ian Poulter produced a vintage fightback to escape LIV Golf relegation on Sunday, and he received another boost less than 24 hours later with his son achieving a major career milestone.
The 49-year-old was staring down the barrel of being banished from the league heading into the final round of the season, but the Ryder Cup legend — nicknamed The Postman due to his penchant for delivering in the big moments — mustered another clutch performance to keep his career alive.
Poulter birdied four holes in succession in the closing stages of his final round at LIV Golf Indianapolis to climb out of the relegation zone at the expense of his Majesticks teammate, Henrik Stenson. At the other end of the leaderboard, Jon Rahm snatched the season-long title from Joaquin Niemann despite the Spaniard winning no tournaments this year.
Poulter finished in a tie for 17th at Chatham Hills, earning just enough points to rise to 48th place in the standings, just one spot clear of the Drop Zone.
It was a bittersweet moment for Poulter, whose close friend Stenson was the victim of the Englishman’s late surge to safety. But the news that followed on Monday was entirely satisfying.
Poulter’s 21-year-old son, Luke, was announced as a member of the Great Britain and Ireland team to take on the United States in the Walker Cup.
The tournament will be held at the picturesque Cypress Point in California from Sep. 6-7, with the best amateurs from each side of the Atlantic going head to head for one of golf’s most historic prizes.
Luke, a junior at the University of Florida, is the No. 28 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, and he came close to qualifying for both the U.S. Open and Open Championship earlier this summer.
His father was quick to share his pride on social media. He wrote: “Congratulations on making the Walker Cup team. I can’t wait to be there and watch you, buddy. Another box ticked.”
Captain Dave Robertson announced his 10-man team to take on the Americans on Monday. The young Poulter is joined by Cameron Adam, Eliot Baker, Dominic Clemons, Charlie Forster, Connor Graham, Stuart Grehan, Gavin Tiernan, and Tyler Weaver.
Scotland’s Niall Shiels Donegan, who made an epic run to the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur last week, completes the roster.
Robertson said: “This talented team represents the very best in s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁, unity, resilience and determination and each player is thoroughly deserving of the opportunity to compete in the Walker Cup for Great Britain and Ireland.
“I’ve been watching the players over a long period to understand their personalities and attributes to meet the demands presented by Cypress Point.
“We are underdogs but I’m confident we are equipped to compete at the highest level and will give it our best shot. We are travelling to Cypress Point to embrace the challenge, honour the legacy of the Walker Cup and aim to make history by reclaiming this famous trophy.”
