Ian Poulter has revealed that Darren Clarke was delighted to see him at the US Senior Open, as the Englishman made his debut in the event this week.
It proved to be an extremely successful bow for Poulter at Scioto. A three under par final round ensured that he finished fourth on his own.
While he was seven shots back of Padraig Harrington in Ohio, the LIV Golf star can take a lot of confidence from the fact that he was just three shots adrift of Stewart Cink, who finished second.
What Darren Clarke told Ian Poulter during the US Senior Open
Poulter turned 50 in January. However, he has managed to finish inside the top 30 in his last four starts on LIV. And he will take a lot of belief from seeing Harrington find a new lease of life on PGA Tour Champions.
Harrington won his fourth senior major this week.
Poulter disappointed many with his decision to join LIV back in 2022. And it seems that his departure from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour saw him lose touch with some of his peers.
Poulter explained after his last round the touching message he received from Darren Clarke this week.
“It’s been awesome. Darren caught me before I teed off today, was in exactly the same outfit, red and white. He said, ‘I’ve missed you. It’s been great having you here for a week’. I haven’t seen Darren for probably six years, and obviously we played so much golf together, Ryder Cups, and we have so many amazing memories,” he said.
“To play with Miguel, who I also played Ryder Cups with, and just chatting with everybody that you haven’t seen in so long, it’s great, sort of a reunion type of deal.
“Playing with Jamie was great today, as well. It’s been cool. It’s nice to not feel like you’re 50 yards or 40 yards behind people. To come out and play a slightly short golf course, it was really fun.”
Ian Poulter reflects on his US Senior Open debut performance
Poulter is one of those players who attracts attention no matter how well he is playing. He has provided some of the most entertaining performances the game has seen over the last 25 years, particularly in Ryder Cups.
So it would be another boost for PGA Tour Champions if he started to play more regularly – though much will surely depend on what the future holds for LIV Golf.
There are a number of big names who have turned 50 in recent years or are approaching that landmark, with many benefitting from the eyes that Tiger Woods brought to the game around the turn of the century.
The senior circuit has rarely been in a stronger position. And Poulter reiterated just how much he had enjoyed the experience after being asked about his highlights from the event.
“My whole highlight of the week, I think, is enjoying catching up with so many old friends. I knew that was going to be the case coming in. I knew all of my friends that I’ve played golf with for two decades are now transitioned and over here playing golf. It was like a special school reunion type deal,” he said.
“Everyone has been amazing. Every conversation I’ve had with everybody has been brilliant. That’s been my one big takeaway this week is the enjoyment that I’ve had playing golf with Darren and Jiménez, who I’ve played so many Ryder Cups with, and playing golf with Jamie today.
“I can go on and on and on. There’s probably 50 guys I’ve had great conversation with. It’s been a very social week from that aspect, very enjoyable week and an enjoyable week to play a slightly shorter golf course, a course that I thought I could get at. I played pretty good.
“One hole cost me four shots this week, which is pretty much the damage which was done for the whole week. So yeah, a good first try out here.”
If LIV Golf cannot survive beyond this year, PGA Tour Champions may actually benefit even more than the PGA Tour will.
