Forget the prize money, Ian Poulter wants titles

With Jordan Spieth threatening a Grand Slam, the list of the greatest players never to have won a Major could get longer and longer.

Ian Poulter is already among that number.

But if, with prize money well in excess of £20-million in the bank, you think he’d not be overly put out if he remained in the queue after this week’s events at St Andrews, you’d be wrong.

“Obviously I’d like to win a Major,” says the 39-year-old Englishman.

“And what British player would not want that Major to be The Open at St Andrews?

“I love to compete, but I don’t have to work. So the drive is to get better and win tournaments.

“I’d love to know what the feeling is to win a FedExCup and I’d love to win a European Order of Merit.

“But money, private jets and all that stuff? Not interested.

“If I don’t want to play golf ever again, I can put my clubs away right now and I can be a happy man.

“I want to stay committed to winning tournaments and beating the best players in the world.

“We are all earning more money than we could ever have dreamed of, but it is the hunger to do better, and get that elusive Major, that keeps us going.

“There are so many things I still want to do.”

His supporters will hope it’s a healthy Poulter that tees it up on the Old Course on Thursday.

Last year he failed to make the cut at Hoylake, playing with an injured wrist.

“Last year I barely went four weeks without picking up an injury of one sort or another,” he admits.

“And if you think that is not a massive problem, look at Tiger trying to play through injuries.

“I’m not making that an excuse. But when my brain tells my body it can’t do something, then I can’t perform.

“But if I’m fit and healthy, Ian Poulter can play good golf.

“I’ve played well since the start of the year, although I haven’t taken my chances.”

With four top-11 finishes, including a runners-up spot and a third place amongst them, Poulter has shown links golf holds no fear for him.

He finished eleventh at the Old Course in 2010, and he has made the cut on every occasion he has played in The Open at the home of golf.

“I always enjoy the atmosphere at The Open because there is not another event that can rival it for its huge stands,” he says.

“I’ve been close a couple of times, and you can bet nobody will be more up for it than me when we tee off on Thursday.”