Ian Poulter US Masters GolfersAUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 05: Ian Poulter of England hits a shot on the first hole during the first round of The Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2007 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Englishman Ian Poulter has been tipped as golf’s rising star on the European circuit, but where it really matters, on the PGA Tour, those in the know are not as sure of his ascendancy. He certainly got punters talking with his Italian Open win in his debut year, and he was rewarded for his success with the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year for 2000.

Poulter’s auspicious beginnings didn’t falter in Europe and in 2004 he captured the Volvo Masters. He was in the top ten on the Order of Merit in 2003, 2004 & 2006.He continued to impress and was a member of the winning Ryder Cup team in 2004. His participation entitled him to join the PGA Tour in 2005.

European Tour wins:

  • 2000 Italian Open
  • 2001 Moroccan Open
  • 2002 Italian Open
  • 2003 Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open, Nordic Open
  • 2004 Volvo Masters Andalucia
  • 2006 Madrid Open

On the other side of the Atlantic, he has had a bit of a drought. To date he has not captured a Major, and his stats at the big four don’t really give credence to his form in Europe.

Best results in the Majors:

  • The Masters – T:13 – 2007
  • US Open – T:12 – 2006
  • The Open – T:11 – 2005
  • PGA Championship – T:9 2006 220

Poulter is also known to be temperamental on course. He has on two occasions been fined for bad behaviour - at the Mercedes Benz Championship he smashed a tee marker in a show of frustration, and at the Irish Open he verbally abused a marshal. Perhaps it’s time for the young man to channel his energies into the game of golf, instead of venting to anyone or anything.

He is also known for his ‘iffy’ dress sense. At the Open in 2005 and 2006 he wore trousers featuring the legendary Claret Jug. Seve Ballesteros, who was commenting for the BBC at the time said it was, “the closest he (Poulter) would ever get to it” – a reflection of how the Englishman is viewed by the greats of the game? Time will tell.

Although he has an enormous amount to prove on the PGA Tour, Poulter has demonstrated that he does indeed have the talent. Whether he can quite join the ranks of outstanding US Masters players and pull off the 2009 US Masters is debatable.

How do you rate Ian Poulter and other US Masters golfers this year?