Ian Poulter facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Ian Poulter
Poulter at the 2009 Telus Skins Game
Personal information
Full name	Ian James Poulter
Nickname	The Postman
Born	(1976-01-10) 10 January 1976 (age 49) Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	189 lb (86 kg; 13.5 st)
Nationality	England
Residence	Orlando, Florida, U.S. Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England
Career
Turned professional	1995
Current tour(s)	LIV Golf
Former tour(s)	PGA Tour European Tour Challenge Tour
Professional wins	17
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour	3
European Tour	12
Japan Golf Tour	1
Asian Tour	2
PGA Tour of Australasia	1
Challenge Tour	1
Other	1
Best results in Major Championships
The Masters Tournament	T6: 2015
U.S. Open	T12: 2006
The Open Championship	2nd: 2008
PGA Championship	T3: 2012
Achievements and awards
Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year	2000

Ian James Poulter (born 10 January 1976) is a famous English professional golfer. He currently plays in the LIV Golf League. Ian has been ranked as high as number 5 in the world. Some of his biggest achievements include winning two World Golf Championship events. He was also a key player in five Ryder Cup teams that won the championship for Europe. Ian is known for his exciting style of play and his unique fashion on the golf course.

Early Life and Golf Beginnings

Ian Poulter was born in Hitchin, England, and grew up in Stevenage. He started playing golf when he was just four years old. His dad, Terry, who was also a good golfer, gave him a special golf club. Ian's older brother, Danny, is also a professional golfer.

When Ian was starting out, it was hard for him to join a private golf club. So, he became an assistant professional and managed the golf shop at Chesfield Downs Golf Club. He even had to pay to play in competitions there! Later, he moved to Leighton Buzzard golf course. There, he gave golf lessons to young players for a very small fee. Ian is also a big fan of the football team Arsenal.

Ian's Professional Golf Journey

Ian Poulter became a professional golfer in 1996. His first big win was in 1999 at the Open de Côte d'Ivoire. This was on the Challenge Tour, which is a step below the main European Tour. He then joined the main European Tour the next year.

First Wins and Awards

In his first year on the European Tour, Ian won the Italian Open. He was also named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year in 2000. This award goes to the best new player. He kept winning tournaments for the next four years. A big win was the Volvo Masters in 2004. He often finished in the top ten players on the European Tour's money list. In 2013, he had his best finish, coming in second.

Ryder Cup Heroics

Ian almost made the Ryder Cup team in 2002. But he joined the winning team in 2004 and even scored the points that officially sealed the victory for Europe!

At the 2008 Masters Tournament, Ian made a "hole-in-one" on the 16th hole. This is when you hit the ball directly into the hole from the tee! At the 2008 Open Championship, he was in the lead but was beaten by Pádraig Harrington. In the 2008 Ryder Cup, even though Europe lost, Ian scored the most points for his team.

Big Wins in America and Asia

In 2009, Ian won the Barclays Singapore Open. By January 2010, he was in the top 10 golfers in the world. In February 2010, he won his first tournament in the United States. This was the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona. This win moved him to 5th in the world rankings! He also played a big part in Europe's win at the 2010 Ryder Cup. Later that year, he won the UBS Hong Kong Open.

Poulter at the 2013 Open de France

In 2011, Ian won the Volvo World Match Play Championship. He beat fellow Ryder Cup player Luke Donald in the final. He also beat the world number one player, Lee Westwood, on his way to the win.

Ian was chosen to be on the European Team for the 2012 Ryder Cup. He won all four of his matches and was a huge reason why his team won! On November 4, 2012, Ian won his second World Golf Championship at the WGC-HSBC Champions in China. He came from behind to win by two strokes. This made him only the second European golfer to win multiple World Golf Championship events.

Later Career and PGA Tour Win

In 2015, Ian had a tough final round at the Honda Classic and finished tied for third. He also faced a risk of losing his European Tour card that year. In March 2016, he led the Puerto Rico Open after three rounds but finished tied for third.

In June 2016, Ian had a foot injury that kept him from playing in the Ryder Cup. However, he was still part of the team as a vice-captain.

In 2017, Ian finished tied for second place at The Players Championship. This was a great result for him. In 2018, he won the Houston Open, which was his third win on the PGA Tour. He won in a sudden-death playoff against Beau Hossler. This win also earned him a spot in the Masters tournament the following week.

In September 2018, Ian was again chosen for the European team in the 2018 Ryder Cup. Europe won against the United States in France. Ian won his singles match against the world number one player, Dustin Johnson. He was also part of the European team for the 2021 Ryder Cup.

In June 2022, Ian became a participant in the new LIV Golf Invitational Series. Because of this, his memberships with the PGA Tour and European Tour were suspended. In May 2023, he officially resigned his membership from the European Tour.

Ian's Unique Style

Ian Poulter is famous for his very colorful and unique golf outfits. His mother, who worked in fashion, inspired his style. He once wore trousers with the famous Claret Jug (a golf trophy) on them at the Open Championship!

In 2007, Ian even started his own clothing company called Ian Poulter Design (IJP Design).

Ian's Life Off the Course

When he was a teenager, Ian went to The Barclay School in Stevenage.

Ian and his wife, Katie, have four children. They live in Orlando, Florida, and also have a home in Milton Keynes, England.

Ian Poulter was featured in the sports TV show Full Swing, which came out on Netflix in February 2023.

Amazing Car Collection

Ian Poulter is also known for his amazing collection of cars, especially Ferraris! Some of the cool cars he owns include:

Ferrari 275 GTB/4
Ferrari 288 GTO
Ferrari Testarossa
Ferrari Enzo
Ferrari LaFerrari
Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta
Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta (made in the colors of the Italian flag!)
Ferrari F12tdf
2017 Ford GT

He even posted a video online where he chipped a golf ball through the windows of his LaFerrari Aperta!

Ian's Major Golf Achievements

Ian Poulter has had a fantastic career with many wins. He has won 17 professional tournaments around the world.

PGA Tour Wins (3)

2010 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship (a World Golf Championship)
2012 WGC-HSBC Champions (another World Golf Championship)
Houston Open in 2018

European Tour Wins (12)

He has won 12 times on the European Tour, including:

The Italian Open twice (2000, 2002)
The Volvo Masters Andalucía in 2004
The Barclays Singapore Open in 2009
The UBS Hong Kong Open in 2010
The 2011 Volvo World Match Play Championship

Other Wins

Ian also has wins on the Japan Golf Tour (2007 Dunlop Phoenix Tournament), the PGA Tour of Australasia (2011 JBWere Masters), and the Challenge Tour (1999 Open de Côte d'Ivoire). He also won the Shark Shootout in 2010 with Dustin Johnson.

Results in Major Championships

While Ian hasn't won a major championship, he has come very close and had many strong finishes:

He finished 2nd at The Open Championship in 2008.
He finished 3rd at the PGA Championship in 2012 and the Open Championship in 2013.
He has finished in the top 10 at the Masters Tournament three times.

Team Golf Appearances

Ian Poulter is well-known for his amazing performances in team golf events, especially the Ryder Cup.

Ryder Cup (representing Europe): He was part of the winning European team five times (2004, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018). He is famous for his passion and great play in this event.
World Cup (representing England): He played for England in the World Cup six times.
Seve Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): He was on the winning team three times (2003, 2005, 2011).
EurAsia Cup (representing Europe): He was part of the winning team in 2016.

Fun Facts About Ian

Clothing Style

Ian Poulter is famous for his unique and colorful golf outfits! His mother, who managed a fashion store, inspired his style. He once wore trousers with the famous Claret Jug (a golf trophy) on them at the Open Championship. He even started his own clothing company called IJP Design in 2007.

Personal Life

As a teenager, Ian Poulter went to The Barclay School in Stevenage.