Foot injury leaves Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter sweating on place at Hazeltine in September
Four-month setback leaves unlucky European star wondering if can possibly recover in time to spank the Yanks again
IAN POULTER is out of golf for four months with a foot injury – and maybe the Ryder Cup, too.
That sort of timescale would seriously hinder his chances of making this year’s competition which gets underway on September 27 at Hazeltine in Minnesota.
The news is a massive setback for the big-hearted Englishman, whose status as an international star has been greatly enhanced by his performances in the bi-annual matchplay tournament for Europe against the United States.
Poulter has been dealing with an arthritic joint in his right foot that
He missed his last two cuts on the PGA Tour in Texas and has fallen to No. 85 in the world, his lowest ranking since 2003. The 40-year-old hasn’t won since the HSBC Champions in 2012.
Poulter is disappointed to have this happen in a Ryder Cup year, but that rest and recovery are his first priority.
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“I am obviously disappointed to be in this situation, especially during a Ryder Cup year,” he said. “Right now, rest and rehab take priority in me returning to full strength later this season. I look forward to resuming a full schedule as soon as I am able.”
Poulter was far down the Ryder Cup standings, in European Tour money and world ranking points, though his record in the Ryder Cup would have been difficult to ignore if he had found some form in the coming months.
He has been a catalyst for Europe, notably when he sparked the greatest comeback by a visiting team at Medinah in 2012. Poulter birdied his last five holes in the final fourballs match to turn a loss into a point, and he closed an undefeated week with a singles victory as Europe rallied from a 10-6 deficit to win.
Poulter has a 12-4-2 record in five appearances. He would be an ideal candidate as a vice-captain. Darren Clarke last week selected Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington and Paul Lawrie as three of his five assistants.
Poulter’s doctor, Ara Suppiah, said the arthritic joint has worsened over the last year, and Poulter was able to keep playing after several cortisone shots. Suppiah said further shots would risk thinning the bones and leading to stress fractures, which might require significant time away from golf.
“We feel that the best option at this stage is to take some time off to allow complete recovery and rehabilitation of his foot,” Suppiah said. “This will give him the best chance of returning to the game sooner and preventing further deterioration of the affected joint.”
Poulter would receive a major medical extension on the PGA Tour for the 2015-16 season if he doesn’t play the rest of the year. He remains exempt on the European Tour based on his No 7 standing on the career money list.