IAN POULTER is heading to the Masters after completing one of the greatest fightbacks the game has ever seen.
Poulter was staring defeat in the face at the Houston Open, as he stood over a death or glory twenty footer on the 72nd hole, trailing playing partner Beau Hossler by a shot.
And just as he has done so often in the Ryder Cup, the English ace poured it into the middle of the hole, prompting the chest-pumping, fist-pumping celebration we have seen so often in European clours over the years.
That gave him the momentum heading into the sudden death shoot-out against an inexperienced 23 year old rookie.
And sure enough . . .
That not only earned Poulter his first stroke play victory on US soil – at the 241st attempt – it also earned him the golden ticket to Augusta reserved for the winner.
It was an even more incredible victory, as Poulter found himself in a share of 123rd place after shooting a one over par 73 in the first round.
No-one has come from that far back to win a PGA Tour event in the last 35 years – until now!
Even Poulter thought it was impossible. Before he started his second round he packed his bags, checked out of his hotel, booked a flight from Texas back to his home in Florida.
But a second round 64 – the joint lowest of the tournament – changed his plans, and he added a seven under par 65 in the third round to share into a share of the lead at 14 under.
MOST READ IN SPORT
Amazingly, the low-scoring spree continued yesterday, as Poulter added four more birdies in the opening eight holes to charge four shots clear of the pack.
The putter he used to inspire the Miracle at Meidnah in the 2012 Ryder Cup proved a magic wand yet again.
After slipping to two over par after 13 holes, Poulter played he next 49 holes bogey-free, making 20 birdies and converting a staggering 36 out of 37 putts from inside 15 feet.
That sort of putting wins Green Jackets, not just warm-up events.
That four shot lead lasted only a couple of minutes, before playing partner Beau Hossler matched his birdie at the eight to trim it back to three.
And it was down to two when Poulter suffered his first/only wobble at the par three ninth.
A rush of adrenaline saw the Englishman blast his tee shot 85 feet past the flag, and when he missed an eight footer for par it was his first dropped shot in fifty holes.
Up ahead, two birdies from Sam Ryder – no relation to Samuel, who donated the trophy Europe and the USA fight for every two years – cut the lead to just one.
Former Masters champion Jordan Spieth was also breathing down Poulter’s neck, just a shot back, and the English star’s supporters began chewing their nails.
Ryder’s bogey at the short 14th gave Poulter some wiggle room, and normal service was resumed on the 11th, as he holed a seven footer to move three clear again.
Hossler then took centre stage as four successive birdies gave him that one shot advantage heading to the 18th – only to learn that Poulter has never gone quietly in his life.
And he was not about to start now.
Poulter’s achievement is even more incredible considering he arrived in Houston in a filthy mood.
He was furious, frustrated and fed up after being told he had earned a Masters spot by breaking back into the world’s top after reaching the quarter-finals of the Dell Match Play a week earlier – only for the number-crunchers to change their mind.
He actually moved up to 51st, and had his Augusta hopes shattered – before deciding to do something about it.