Ian Poulter’s problems on American soil show no signs of stopping

In the final round of the Honda Classic, Ian Poulter steered an incomprehensible five balls into water hazards, missing a play-off against Padraig Harrington and rookie Daniel Berger by a shot, keeping alive a curious drought for the Englishman.

Ian Poulter, right, gets a ruling from Steve Rintoul of the PGA Tour on the 14th hole during the fourth round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa - Champion Course on March 2, 2015 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Sam Greenwood / Getty Images
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As one European star rekindled the flame at the Honda Classic, another had a seemingly debilitating setback.

Struggling Irishman Padraig Harrington rallied to win on one of the two major tours for the first time in seven years, but if they had been playing basketball at the Honda Classic, Ian Poulter would have been credited with an assist.

In the final round, Poulter steered an incomprehensible five balls into water hazards, missing a play-off against Harrington and rookie Daniel Berger by a shot and keeping alive a curious drought, though that is an admittedly odd choice of words, considering.

Despite worldwide acclaim that does not necessarily match his performance chart, Poulter has never won a stroke-play event in the US, despite having lived in Florida for the past decade and being a full-time member of the PGA Tour.

In full-field tournaments, he has two top-10 finishes on American soil in the past 24 months and has been accused of being a paper tiger on social media, where Poulter often courts such antagonistic conversation.

This time, he made no attempt to hide his disappointment.

His last win was the HSBC Champions in late 2012.

A good player, yet hardly an elite one, the colourful Englishman cannot afford to let such chances slip at age 39.

“It’s a shame to hand tournaments away,” he said. “You don’t mind being beaten fair and square. But I’ve handed one away this week and you know it’s going to hurt because making triples and doubles just doesn’t get it done.”

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