Ian Poulter eyes Ryder Cup qualification after strong St. Jude Invitational performance

The Perfect Cut – Ian Poulter Trick Shot

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Ian Poulter has moved within touching distance of automatic qualification for this year’s Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits after a strong finish at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational last week.

The world number 46 finished in a tie for 10th at the World Golf Championship in Memphis after accumulating a score of 11-under-par for the tournament.

The Englishman looked to be a contender to win the event at TPC Southwind at the turn of the weekend as he carded an impressive opening round six-under, 64 before following that up with a four-under, 66 on Friday.

However, Poulter followed his three-under, 67 on Saturday with a two-over-par 72 in his final round to see him slip away from top spot, which was eventually taken by Abraham Ancer after he defeated Sam Burns and Hideki Matsuyama in a two-hole play-off.

As a result, his top-10 finish in Memphis has moved him into 12th in the Ryder Cup Team Europe World Points List with 175.47 points, just 40 points behind Irishman Shane Lowry, who occupies the final qualification spot on the World Points List.

Poulter has established himself as one of the greatest Ryder Cup players of all time, and cemented himself as a stalwart within the European side in recent years. 

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The ‘Postman’ as he is nicknamed has won five of the six Ryder Cups he has played in, including the 2018 event at Paris’ Le Golf National where Europe regained the trophy with a 17 ½ – 10 ½ win over the USA.

As a result Poulter more than anyone will be hoping he will be making the trip to Whistling Straits come September to help his team retain their prize on foreign soil.

As well as nine qualification spots for the European team the world number 46 also has the opportunity to make the team via three captain picks, as European skipper Padraig Harrington will get three wildcard choices to complete his 12-man team.

However European great, Poulter has insisted he will do as much as he can to qualify automatically rather than relying on a captain’s pick.

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Speaking at last week’s World Golf Championship he said: “I’d like to get as close as I can, I’d like to help Paddy out and somehow get myself in the team. 

“I know with a big week this week that would help massively. I saw a stat yesterday that if I finish second this week [in Memphis I’m pretty much in the team, or very close to it. A big week this week would help Paddy out and obviously two weeks after that would be a good finish to try and put myself in the team.”

Following his tied-10th finish at TPC Southwind the Englishman seemed optimistic on social media, once again outlining his targets to make the European team in September.

He tweeted: “Great week at WGC Memphis Top 10 and a jump in the FedEx, Ryder Cup, Race to Dubai points is always helpful. Keep pressing to make that Ryder Cup team.

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