Ian Poulter In A Better Place Despite ‘Coliesum’ Shank – Video.

6 years ago by Comments Off on Ian Poulter In A Better Place Despite ‘Coliesum’ Shank – Video.

Phoenix, AZ …

Popular Ian Poulter is in far better place heading into a new season despite a bizarre shank at the ‘Coliesum’ hole on day two of the Phoenix Open.

The Englishman had a 9-iron in his hand and standing on one of the most feared holes in golf and the infamous par-3 16th at TPC Scottsdale in suburban Phoenix.

Poulter had birdied 13 and 15 to move to three-under for his round but then proceeded to shank his 9-iron tee shot well right into the crowd and looking on with a smile on his face.

He then proceeded to make his way to the section of the grandstand and reached-up and give a high-five to the spectator who threw his golf ball back onto the course.

The current World No. 57 took a ‘free’ drop before chipping to 33-feet and two-putting for bogey and end his round at three-under par.

After his round, ‘Poults’ was asked about the incident on 16.

“It’s not my first shank, and it won’t be my last shank,” he said smiling.

“That’s it. I laugh at it. It’s pretty funny.”

By late on Saturday (Local US time) there had already been 26,800 social media viewings of Poulter’s shot.

This time last year, Poulter was staring at the uncertainty of his PGA Tour career and given 10 events in the 2016/17 wraparound season, and under a ‘Major Medical Exemption’ category, due to a foot injury, to earn 218 FedExCup points or $347,634 to remain exempt for the remainder of the season.

But when Poulter missed the cut at the Valero Texas Open, and his final start via Medical Extension event, he effectively forfeited his Tour card.

Poulter went to New Orelans, and a new team event, only to learn after the second round the Tour had miscalculated the points he and American Brain Gay, and also competing on a Major Medical Exemption needed to earn.

It meant both Poulter and Gay had done enough to retain their cards and play-out the rest of 2017.

“This year is so much a better scenario than last year,” Poulter said.

“I can just go out there and have a bit of fun on the golf course and this is one of those weeks where I can.”

And after moving to three-under par, Poulter spoke of his game in what is his first PGA Tour event of 2018.

“Three-under par is well-placed and I feel good and I am playing nicely,” he said.

“So, everything is good and this is the first of three weeks in a row for me, and good for me to get on a little run.

“Of coure, the gaol is still to move into the top-50 on the World Rankings and then the top-40 and so on.”

Poutler heads into the final two rounds of the $US 6.9m event trailing seven shots behind the leading American duo of Rickie Fowler and Bryson DeChambean, and with both posting rounds of 66  to lead by a shot on 10-under par.



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