Palm Beach Gardens, FL …
Ian Poulter insisted after a flawless Honda Classic opening round his return to full competition has nothing to do with a specified amount he must earn in six events but more about winning his way to Augusta and this year’s Masters.
Poulter, 41 made in all happen in a three-hole run on day one of the event at PGA National parring his first 11 holes before eagling his 12th and then birding the next two holes ahead of ending with four straight pars in a four under par 66 on the ‘Champions Course” in Florida.
Ian Poulter insists his goal over the six events he’s been affforded under a medical exemption has nothing to do with the money.
It handed Poulter a share of fourth place in his very first PGA Tour event of 2017 and after being side-lined for four months last season with a foot injury, and an injury that ruled him out of qualifying for the Ryder Cup.
But in being side-lined Poulter effectively lost his PGA Tour card by finishing 174th on the PGA Tour standings and 49 spots shy of holding onto his Tour card.
However, the PGA Tour afforded Poulter a medical exemption and with the proviso of being allowed entry into six events to earn some $US 340,000 that is the monetary difference between his 174th ranking from last year and the player who secured the 125th and final card to retain 2017 full membership.
And while Poutler has earned $US 18.1m in his PGA Tour career, the Florida-based Brit is more determined to tick off a number of bigger goals such as contesting a full injury-free season, retain his Tour card for 2018, end a near five-year PGA victory drought, and preferably before April 2nd and the last day for qualifying, win an invitation into the following week’s Masters at Augusta National
“What I am facing over these six events I have is very different from chasing a spot into The Open or trying to qualify for the Ryder Cup, very different”, he said.
“I’m looking at it like I would like to be in a position with the six events I’m going to play to earn enough money which secures everything: Back in the Top-50, back in a position to be in The Open Championship, back in a position to enjoy the back half of the year.
“So, I’m trying not to get in the way of thinking, oh, I just need X amount because I don’t need X.
“However, I play anyway, I have to earn enough money to continue the season. So, if I play well in those six events, I’ve obviously got a great chance to do that.
“If I can win one of those six, then obviously it takes care of it and if I can win one of the first few, I can get into Augusta.
“So, there’s a bigger picture, right. It’s definitely not just medical. I’m obviously thinking, I don’t want to miss Augusta. So, I need to play well and I need to play well quickly”.
Should Poulter capture the Honda Open he would earn a first prize cheque of $US 1.1m and more than enough to be handed his 2017 PGA Tour card.
Indeed, he would receive a two-year Tour exemption up to the end of the 2018/19 season along with a 2017 Masters invitation.
