IAN POULTER, WHO was once ranked as high as fifth in the world, has lost his PGA Tour card after missing the cut at the Valero Texas Open.
Poulter dropped to 190th after an injury-hit year in 2016 and needed to win around $30,000 in prize money this week to retain his playing privileges.
But he shot 71 on Friday and finished on two-over par.
“You don’t get to #5 in the world and help lift a few (Ryder Cups) and disappear,” he tweeted afterwards. “You come back stronger and more determined than ever.”
Even without full Tour status, Poulter will still be eligible for some events, and can also be invited to tournaments by sponsors.
“The way it falls right now is, you know, I don’t know whether I’m going to be in tournaments or out of tournaments,” he explained after Friday’s round.
“So what it means and what the most frustrating thing for the next few months is, you know, I can’t plan a schedule. I have to be ready on any given Monday to go to an event.
“Obviously I’ll try and qualify for US Open, I’ll try and qualify for The Open. I’ll play some events in Europe, I’ll play some more events over here and obviously I’ll do what I need to do.”
Graeme McDowell (-2) and Seamus Power (E) both made the cut for the weekend, but have work to do to close the gap on Bud Cauley and Tony Finau who share the lead on -8.
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He’s been a huge plus for the Farrell team as he’s just bossed what was starting to become a problem position for Ireland.
Takes care of the basics first, and he’s starting to reveal more to his game now week on week at every level, influencing huge games.
I think the lad has a massive ceiling.
@Patrick Doherty: and a brilliant mix of writing and analysis as always from Murray Kinsella.
I completely agree the way he played last week against Munster was top class. Looked dangerous every time he had the ball in hand. Rock solid under the high ball and looking to attack at every opportunity
Where I have the difficulty with his play is over the five games for Ireland he offered absolutely nothing whatsoever in attack. Even when we were dominant against the English. He looked easy to read with ball in hand.
Before I get lambasted and abused here I believe it must be the different coaching structures between Ireland and Leinster
@Bgkph: he’s 24 and learning every week.
This is the role leinster wanted for carbury so it’s no surprise they are working with Keenan to do the same. Ireland don’t seem to want their 15 to play make so your not going to see this too much for Ireland
@Bgkph: it’s a much much higher level than any PR014 or HC games. It’s what Ronan O Gara keeps saying. Such a chasm between the levels
He’s a good solid player who has already improved hugely since he got his first cap. I’m not sure if he has as much X factor in attack that larmour and stockdale have. The experiment with them at full back failed though and IMO a safe pair of hands which he has , is the most important thing a full back should have…. hopefully the attacking threat can be worked on and will continue to improve…
This guy is a massive credit to the 7s system. He’s so solid, does all the basics so well and rarely makes a mistake. He’s going to get better and better.
He needs to work on his passing and decision making. He is already an improvement on Kearney but like Kearney he takes the ball into contact. Also he needs to fix his man before passing as it cost Lowe a try against France
@Patrick O Connell: the videos show him passing or offloading each time and continuing the movement. Doesn’t really correlate to your point about him going into contact
@Patrick O Connell: every time he takes it into contact he seems to make yards. Fella wriggles out of every tackle