Ian Poulter did it. The 41-year old Englishman exited Austin, Texas in an angry mood after a mix-up on his qualification status for the Masters during the Dell Match Play.
His last chance for a ticket to Augusta was down to win at the Houston Open – a tall order for someone who had never won a PGA Tour stroke event.
And after opening the Houston Open with a 73, Poulter’s Masters chances seemed to be on life support. He even started packing his bags for a trip home to Orlando.
But Poulter came roaring back with three rounds of 64, 65, and 67, capped off by a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to reach 19-under par and force a playoff with young Beau Hossler.
Poulter easily won the sudden-death playoff as Hossler made a mess of No. 18, producing a triple bogey.
The win earned Poulter an invite to Augusta, and all kinds of perks.
