Much like he has the final two years, Ian Poulter had to fight all the way to the end at the Houston Open. Needing birdie at the 72nd hole to join a playoff along with Beau Hossler, Poulter came upward clutch and buried a 20-footer, leading to an emotional celebration coming from come to know from the fiery Brit.
From there, hard work was done. All the 42-year-old needed was par on the very first playoff hole to capture their first worldwide victory since this year and earn the coveted last invitation to the Masters.
“Had to dig deeply today, just rolled it within at the right time, ” mentioned Poulter, whose final-round 67 with Golf Club of Houston was pointed out by that final putt within regulation, one that was aided simply by seeing Hossler’s longer birdie appearance on the same line. Hossler’s effort appeared as if it would fall and give him their first PGA Tour title as well as the same spot in the Masters, however it just missed on the high aspect.
“I a new good read obviously, ” Poulter said. “Beau hit a good putt, and I thought he holed this, it stayed a little high therefore my putt was about three feet towards the right, I knew mine has been actually going to break just a portion right to left. ”
On the only sudden-death playoff hole, Poulter striped a lower the fairway and knocked this on the green, leaving him one more long birdie putt. Meanwhile, Hossler struggled, hitting his approach within a greenside bunker and then catching their third shot thin and striking it into the water. Poulter required just two putts for their first career stroke-play win in the usa, and his third career PGA Trip victory.
Together with a spot in the Masters, the Western european Ryder Cup stalwart also gained a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, giving him a certain upcoming that wasn’t so certain the season ago. It also comes 1 week after the Experts mix-up at the WGC-Dell Match Perform .
“Last week was painful, and to arrive here this week, I was tired, I had been frustrated on Thursday, I did not play my best stuff. I actually packed my bags obviously in order to leave on Friday, and, the mental switch, I said to Jamie today, you know what, let’s just go enjoy golf, see what happens” Poulter said. “I was patient, I actually waited my time, and this is certainly amazing, you know I haven’t received a stroke play event in the us, so , to do it this week after the dissatisfaction of last week, to know I’m going to Augusta to do it in true fashion will be amazing.
“This one’s for Katie, my wife, she has been a rock for the last couple of years and it’s been tough, it’s been tough. I’ve been injured, and it’s been tough. There’s been stuff going on and she has the reason why I’m here. ”
Hossler, who furthermore posted a closing 67 to reach 19-under 269, will have to wait just a little longer for his first trip victory, but it’s clear that will breakthrough is not far away. The former College of Texas All-American has now completed inside the top 25 five moments this season, including three top-10s.
Jordan Spieth installed a final-round charge that eventually came up short. His six-under 66 put him in a link for third with Emiliano Grillo at 16-under 272, and while this wasn’t enough to win, the particular three-time major champion was satisfied with what he accomplished as he wants win a second green jacket in a few days.
“I got some chances today, I had a chance to shoot eight or nine below, I’m very pleased with my 6 under, ” Spieth said, incorporating, “goal accomplished for the week, plus I’ve made some big advances from my last couple competitions. I’m very excited for exactly what next week holds. ”
Finishing in solo 5th at 15-under 273 was PGA Tour rookie Sam Ryder, who seem to fired a four-under 68 upon Sunday. Henrik Stenson and Keith Mitchell tied for sixth from 14-under 274.
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