Stroke of luck for Poulter

Last updated: 13th November 2012

Despite only receiving his clubs on Tuesday, world number 16 Ian Poulter believes it was a stroke of luck not to be able to practice on Melbourne's Kingston Heath course earlier.

"I think it's a result actually looking back on it. I mean, I think we had 50 mile an hour winds yesterday or 40 mile an hour winds, or kilometres an hour, however you guys want to look at it. My caddy thinks it's a result that the clubs got stuck in LA because how well are you really going to practice once you've just got off a long flight like that," the defending Talisker Masters champion said.

The English Ryder Cup hero is looking for his second consecutive victory in as many starts and will have his first experience of the course during Wednesday's Pro-Am.

"I'll take my first look at the course tomorrow. I didn't do anything different last year when I played. I played the Pro-Am, and I won," Poulter said.

"I haven't played two practice rounds all year or nor have I in the last couple of years, so I don't intend to change the way I've played or certainly done my preparations for any tournament," Poulter said.

"Two weeks ago I was in China and I sit on a plane and fly all the way back to Orlando and have five days there, then get on a plane and fly 20 odd hours to come here and I'm not really going to stress my body too hard because I know I'm going to be tired at the end of the week and it's a week that I want to win," he added.

The Englishman arrives in Australia in solid form after his win in China, one of nine top 10 finishes so far this year, although his inability to win a major to date has played on his mind.

"(It's) my second WGC win, I'm here to stay and I guess, when I play well, I can win tournaments; I know that. If it's helped other people realise that, then so be it, that's great, but I know I can win tournaments when I play well."

"Where do I go from here? I need to win a major, simple. It burns," Poutler said.