There are the fine margins in sport, and then there are the circumstances attached to Ian Poulter and the Masters. As things stand, the Englishman will miss out on a place at the first major of 2018 by three hundredths of a point – and a single place – on the world ranking table. Even more galling for the 42-year-old is that an outstanding effort over three and a half days at the WGC Match Play may count for nothing in the context of Augusta National.
Poulter slipped to a comprehensive defeat to Kevin Kisner, by 8&6, in this event’s last eight. Poulter had seen off Louis Oosthuizen on Saturday morning while recording eight birdies, apparently edging him ever closer to a 13th Masters appearance. Maybe bad luck really is attached to that number.
As if to compound Poulter’s frustration, he had initially been informed by world ranking gurus and members of the media that he had done enough to reach Augusta after the last-16 win over Oosthuizen. The error was at least relayed to him before he returned to the course, with Poulter appearing unsure as to whether misinformation had a negative impact.
“I guess I should never listen to other people,” Poulter said. “You finish a round of golf and the press and everybody else tell you ‘You are in the Masters’ then you get a text message 10 minutes before you tee off to correct everybody.
“It’s not an excuse or any form of a factor but it is a little disappointing. I asked three or four times if people were sure. The next time, I won’t listen to other people, I will do my bit and focus on that.”
Poulter was typically forthright about his display in the Kisner tie. “The word for it is disappointing,” he admitted. “I put up no fight at all, it was rubbish. It’s a shame, a real shame. It was bizarre, I just didn’t have it this afternoon.”
Poulter does potentially have one last shot. Should he win next week’s Houston Open, he would take the final place in the Masters field. Given his levels of motivation, and the current state of the Ryder Cup icon’s game – the Kisner affair notwithstanding – it would be unwise to bet against such a scenario. The scale of his hurt after the Kisner loss means Poulter’s involvement in Houston is not yet certain despite him currently being listed in the field.
“I haven’t decided on that yet,” he added. “It has been a long week and a draining week. I’ll see, I will wait until Monday night. If I think I don’t have the energy then I won’t play.” Such a situation would be a pity; Poulter did more than enough in Austin to suggest he can compete and not just turn out at Augusta.
Bubba Watson booked his place in the semi-finals here with a 5&3 success over Kiradech Aphibarnrat. Watson, the Masters champion of 2012 and 2014, has returned to prominence at precisely the right time after a spell during which he struggled with fitness and form. Even Watson did not bank on this Match Play run. “I’m supposed to be on a flight at 9am on Sunday to go out of the country on vacation with my family,” he said. “I’m going to have to tell my wife that we ain’t making it. It’s no problem; this is exciting, this is what we want to do. We want to get to Sunday and have a chance.”
Watson will face Justin Thomas in the last four. Thomas could go to No 1 in the world on Sunday evening, a significant move with the Masters so close. The reigning US PGA champion defeated Kyle Stanley by 2&1 in the quarter-final to make it five wins from five matches this week.
Kisner will play Sweden’s Alex Norén for a final spot. Norén sealed a last-four position with a 4&2 win over Cameron Smith. There is solace for Smith in the fact he is guaranteed to appear at Augusta for only the second time courtesy of his exploits in Austin. What Poulter would give for likewise. The golfing gods really do move in cruel ways.
