Ian Poulter says yes to PGA and no to European tour
Ian Poulter is ready to turn his back on the European tour regardless of his origin.
The 34-year-old Englishman, who spent his whole childhood teeing off on the courses of Hitchin is considering to stay in the US for the next season. Poulter is European by origin, but he is a resident of Orlando, Florida. The golfer has
his direct family settled in United States. He has three children, out of which two go to school in the locality.
A new reform was introduced in the PGA circuit that a player will have to meet the minimum benchmark of 12 to 13 championships in order to retain his membership on the tour. This change has forced all professionals to reconsider their choices
in regard to what tour to play under.
Earlier, golfers fluctuated between the two sides based on their priorities, but this time they will have to take a serious decision.
Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Luke Donald, and Ian Poulter are a few of those names on the European tour, who split their season to play on the other side of the Atlantic. This strategy has earned them money, fame and exposure in the past. However,
this time exposure will not be necessary for them, as per the new policies of the PGA tour.
The purpose of this policy is to encourage the local players to focus on their game and enhance the popularity of the sport. Westwood, Casey, and Rory McIlroy understand the agenda behind the policy. This is why they have announced officially
that they will not be seen in the US PGA circuit.
On the hand, Poulter, who recently won his 10th European tour title in Hong Kong, is ready to switch to the other side of Atlantic. He has taken the decision for the sake of his family.
Speaking to the press Poulter said, "I live in Orlando, so the family is schooled there, I have three children, two of which are to school in the States. Rory lives in Ireland. His family is in Ireland. So therefore for him, I guess it is
difficult to see being over that side of the pond. For him, it is an easy decision, and for me, I am happy playing golf where I am. I'm very happy playing both tours, playing The European Tour and the US PGA Tour".
The player, who was part of the Ryder Cup squad, has weighed his reasons well and he does not bother about the foreign circuit, owing to his refined form. Poulter won the UBS Hong Kong Open on 21st November and jumped in rank
on the Official World Golf Rankings. The new number 11th spot has made the player more confident. Thereby, he is ready to take the risk of leaving his homeland for one whole year.
Moreover, Poulter will be teeing off in Jumeirah Golf Estate for the Dubai World Championship. The event will mark the end of the European tour 2010.The player is eyeing the World number one rank along with the grand bonus from the year
end.
Disclosing his motives to the media, Poulter said, "I think I'll just try winning the Dubai World Championship and see how high I can go. Tiger Woods has dropped a lot of points. Westwood is World number one, and if I keep playing well,
then who knows - I could get up there".
World number 11th, Ian Poulter has officially declared that he will be focusing on the US PGA tour in 2011, owing to his family preferences. The golfer will only play for the US circuit as the new conditions of the PGA demand
12 to 13 appearances on the European Tour, but with family residing in Florida, the condition will not be impossible to meet.
Poulter’s past record shows success in Europe and negligible achievements in the United States. Despite that he is choosing the US over his homeland, which might prove fatal for his career.
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