Open Form Guide

08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00	99
2	27	MC	11	25	46	50	-	64	-

As Ian Poulter strode down the fairways of the back nine at Royal Birkdale last year he looked like a man who thought he could win the Open Championship. As the wind threatened to derail the challenge of the last pair Greg Norman and Padraig Harrington, plenty of observers thought Poulter was going to win the Open Championship too. And when he holed a fine putt to make par on the final hole many believed the Claret Jug was still within his grasp. He had been impressive and won over many doubters. Unfortunately Harrington was even more inspired and Poulter had to accept second place, but it had the look of a turning point in the Englishman's career. It convinced Nick Faldo (and Harrington too) that Poulter deserved to play in the Ryder Cup where he starred for the European team. This year he very nearly won the fifth major (the Players' Championship) and was third in the Open de France earlier this month. He is also a vastly under-rated performer on the big stage. If we agree with the hype and include the Players', his last 19 starts in the five majors have garnered 14 top 30 finishes, eight of those in the top 20.