Things weren’t looking great for Ian Poulter late Sunday in Houston.
He saw young upstart Beau Hossler wrestle the Houston Open lead from him with four straight back nine birdies and Hossler had just snuggled his approach putt at the 18th within gimme range to post 19-under, a shot better than Poulter.
But Poulter had one last chance, albeit from 20 feet, for a birdie to tie Hossler and send the action into sudden death.
Poulter, who came to town disappointed that he was wrongly informed a week ago that he was in The Masters, summoned some magic from the past and drained the birdie for the tie.
Sudden-death came suddenly for Hossler, who fanned his approach in the playoff into a greenside bunker, leaving him a long, very difficult shot while Poulter put his a comfortable 30 feet from the cup.
Hossler’s bunker shot was a shocker. He caught it way to thin and it sailed over the green, into the water, ending his chances for victory. He’d finish with seven and Poulter made a comfortable par to punch his ticket to Augusta National this week.
“I had to dig in today,” Poulter said after his first-ever stroke play win on the PGA Tour. “Last week was painful. I was tired, frustrated.” What was mind-boggling is that Poulter shot 73 on Thursday and figured he’d miss the cut but told his caddy he’d just go out and play. And play he did. He came up with rounds of 64-65-67.
“To do it this week after the disappointment of last week is amazing,” Poulter added.
It was a tough ending for Hossler, the former Texas Longhorn golfer who played a solid round of 67 thanks to his birdie run that started at the 12th.
Jordan Spieth finally came to life with a closing 66 on Sunday that featured an appearance by his putter, something he’s been searching for. He finished 16-under and tied for third with Emiliano Grillo and Sam Ryder.
2 Comments
RM
A lot to like in the finish in Houston.
Poulter’s gutsy comeback from, Yes, you are playing in the Masters, to No, you need to win to play in the Masters, to a bad round that had him literally packing his bags, then to making a clutch putt when it seemed he was all but dead, and then prevailing in the playoff. Talk about an emotional cyclone.
I think Hossler will be back, and may be around as a force for a long while. After he bladed that sand shot into the water, he knew it was over. But no histrionics or petulance, he gathered himself and professionally went about his business to finish his round. A lesson to many of us. I know it will make me more conscious of trying not to let one rotten, frustrating shot turn into two or more bad shots. Well done by both players
Nice to see Spieth end on a good note, hopefully boding well for a strong Masters. If only Spring would come to the Northeast!
Tom Edrington
Good observations, RM. Yes, we are going to see a lot of young Beau, he’s got game. So looking forward to this week’s Masters, sure hope the rain stays away.