Ian Poulter has long been one of the most colorful and most successful golfers on the European Tour. The winner of seven European Tour events in his eight year career. He won more than $1million dollars last year and posted his best-ever tie for 13th place in the 2007 Masters, which earned him a return trip to the 2008 Masters. When he arrive this year, Poulter recorded the first 2008 Hole in One on the par 3 16th hole Thursday and was tied for third after 36 holes with rounds of 70 and 69.
Poulter is writing an exclusive, web-only weekend diary for Masters.org on his weekend experiences. This is his second entry.
One thing this weekend taught me is that championships are conducted over 72 holes, not just 36. I had a good first couple of days, but a really terrible weekend.
I didn't hit the ball that bad, but it was just a matter of a couple of inches here and there.
Like today, I never thought I would make four double bogeys in six holes easy as can be.
I started out hitting it into the trees on the fifth hole, had no shot, and had to pitch out sideways. I hit the front of the green, three-putted, and just went from there.
A double on No. 6 out of the bunker, double on No. 7, and after a nice birdie on the ninth hole, I made another double on the 11th, hitting the approach shot long and off the green.
That was it. I was done and a 78 today doesn't make me happy in any way. The winds were tough, but they are tough for everybody.
Trevor Immelman has a nice cushion today and with these winds, nobody is going to catch him. I played with him a bunch on the European Tour.
I'm headed home to Orlando, FL just to have a week off. I'm playing in three events in the states in May, before the U.S. Open
With another late tee time Sunday at least it meant another late and easy morning for me. The family slept in late again and then had breakfast about 10 a.m.
We're in a different house this year, because the one we've rented in the past was already taken. It's taken a bit to get used to, but it's been OK. I'm staying in the same neighborhood with Justin Rose and Adam Scott, my mates from the Tour. We're all pretty much on the same street, so we can all hang around together.
But I've been coming home at night so late from the course there really hasn't been much time to go out and do anything, plus my family is here.
Before I started, I was able to get a Masters flag from last year signed by Zach Johnson along with Tiger Woods. It will be for a charity auction later this year which is something I always want to help out with.
Before going to practice and stretching out, I always make sure I have my music and my ear phones. Some people may give me a bit a stuck about that, saying Hogan or Nicklaus never did it that way, but if Hogan had tried this in his day, you would have needed an entire stereo system on the range.
I just use a mixture R&B, some UK garage music, and other tunes to get me pumped up for the day. I'll probably listen to 40 different tunes before I tee off, because it gets me in my zone.
My zone wasn't very good today. It really wasn't a good weekend for me. I finished down the leader board, plus I probably spent $4,000 to $5,000 in the pro shop buying gifts for everybody back home. I sure hope they appreciate it.
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