‘Great year’ for Poulter

Ian Poulter will take many fond memories from the 2010 season despite his disappointing end to the European Tour campaign at the World Champion.

The 34-year-old has won two tournaments this year – with a breakthrough victory at the WGC-Accenture Match Play the highlight – and a strong finish to the campaign saw him move up to number eight in the world.

And with two tournaments left to play, including the Chevron World Challenge starting on Thursday, Poulter says his work is not finished yet.

“It’s been a great year. I’ve had two wins, plus a Ryder Cup win (for Europe), and I’ve also had two runner-up positions as well,” he said.

“And it’s not quite over. I’ve got two more tournaments – the Chevron this week and Greg Norman’s tournament next week so I would like to cap off another couple (of wins) if I can.”

Poulter narrowly missed out on a third victory at the Dubai World Championship as he was beaten in bizarre fashion in a playoff with Robert Karlsson.
Penalty

The Englishman was given a one-shot penalty when his dropped his ball on his marker, causing the coin to move position on the green of the second extra hole.

Karlsson would have taken some beating in any case, as he lined up a three-foot birdie putt to his rival’s 40-footer, but Poulter still feels the rule should be looked at.

“My ball slipped from six inches above the coin. It managed to land flat on the coin and it flipped itself over. In the rule book, that states a penalty,” he said.

He added: “It’s a shame,” said the 34-year-old, who had been bidding for his second victory in a row after landing the Hong Kong Open title the previous week.

“The rules are there to protect everybody. Was there any intent to move my marker? No. It was an accident. Do I think the rule should be changed? Yes.

“It’s brought it to everyone’s attention that it’s a rule that could be looked at to change. But who knows? We’ll have to wait and see if anyone wants to take it any further.”