Majesticks’ Poulter set for senior debut at U.S. Senior Open
Ian Poulter has never seen Scioto Country Club prior to this week, but he is seeing plenty of familiar faces at the U.S. Senior Open.
The Majesticks Golf Club co-captain, who turned 50 years old in January, is making his senior tournament debut this week, thanks to an exemption based on his previous Ryder Cup participation in 2018 and 2021.
In between range sessions and practice rounds at the historic course in Columbus, Ohio, he’s also catching up with fellow competitors that he hasn’t seen in several years, such as major winners Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Stewart Cink and Mike Weir.
“I’ve probably had more chats than I’ve hit golf balls since I’ve been here,” Poulter said during his Tuesday press conference. “Everyone’s been amazing.”
Poulter has made 72 major starts in his career, but only one since joining LIV Golf for its inaugural year in 2022. He’s competed in 16 U.S. Opens; it’s the only major in which he doesn’t have a top-10 finish. His best result came 20 years ago, a tie for 12th in 2006 at Winged Foot.
“It’s got me good in the past, I’ll tell you,” Poulter said of his U.S. Open results. “It’s done me in good, all of them.”
He’s hoping the transition to senior major competition – he’ll be one of the youngest competitors this week – will provide a change in fortunes. Two years ago, his fellow LIV Golf member Richard Bland won his first two major starts, the Senior PGA Championship and the U.S. Senior Open.
“The golf course is a little shorter than the U.S. Opens that I've played in the past, so hopefully that's a helping hand, because I've never hit it the longest,” said Poulter of the 7,170-yard Scioto, which is hosting the U.S. Senior Open for the third time. “… I’m super-focused to come in this week and do as well as I possible can. Obviously, I want to come and win – that’s why I’m here.”
Poulter ranks 43rd in LIV Golf’s season-long points race through the first nine tournaments this season, but his form has improved in recent starts. He tied for 25th in Mexico City in April, then followed with a tie for 18th in Virginia in early May despite suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee just before the opening round. Later that month, he tied for 16th in Korea, his best result of the season.
Regarding his form since his knee injury, Poulter said, “It’s been an interesting season … I've played some really nice golf, which makes no sense at all, whether that's made me swing it a little smoother, I don't really know. The ball speed hasn't changed, and I've kind of managed that situation with that knee. It's fine to play on. I can walk comfortably.
“But my game has trended pretty well this season. I've probably played the best I have than any of the previous seasons, even though I'm now 50.”
