2021 Palmetto Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Congaree

After a slow start to 2021, Ian Poulter is finding his stride heading into the back half of the major championship slate.

The Englishman found himself in the top three for the first time since 2019 when he posted T-3rd a couple weeks ago at the Charles Schwab Challenge. His third-round 64 was one off the low round of the tournament. The performance in Texas was another example of the steady golf he’s shown of late.

Poulter owns six made cuts in his last seven starts. Five resulted in top-30s, including at both majors. He made the cut at both South Carolina events.

The 45-year-old is on pace for his second straight season inside the top 10 on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting. Poulter is seventh at .772. The guy is 360-for-360 rolling in puts inside three feet and is second inside five feet having made 50 of 53.

Poulter’s also relied on a solid short game (21st, .332) that will come in handy this week with Congaree’s tight lies and collection areas. He’s 29th in sand saves (57.29%).

At time of writing, Poulter is among those seeking to sectional qualify on Monday for the U.S. Open. He fell just outside the threshold to get into Torrey Pines via his world ranking.

Poulter is a Ryder Cup legend for Europe. He will make a great captain someday. I think he’s possibly got one more go-round in him as a player. Poulter is down in 51st in the points race (partially due to his predominantly PGA Tour schedule), but would be an attractive captain’s pick if he continues to play well.

He won his pool at the WGC-Match Play and is a tough head-to-head competitor.

Poulter will show his stroke play acumen, too, this week at Congaree.