Ian Poulter signs on for Aussie PGA

• Ryder Cup hero commits to Australian PGA C’ship
• Will be first start in a regular European Tour event since January
• “It’s a great chance to kick-start my 2017 season”

Ian Poulter will make his first appearance in a regular European Tour event for ten months when he joins former Masters champion Adam Scott at the Australian PGA Championship from December 1-4.

Poulter last teed up on the European Tour in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at the start of the year, and underwent foot surgery shortly after competing in the Masters in April.

A 12-time winner on the European Tour, he will return to action at the revamped RACV Royal Pines Resort, on Queensland’s Gold Coast, host venue for the $1.5million tournament.

It will be Poulter’s debut in the Australian PGA Championship and his first visit to the Gold Coast, located around an hour from Brisbane.

“Australia is a fantastic place to play golf and I always receive such strong support from the fans, so I’m looking forward to playing the Australian PGA Championship,” said the Ryder Cup star. “To be playing a European Tour event down here is an opportunity I jumped at. It’s a great chance to come back to a country I have previously performed well in and kick-start my 2017 season.

“Plus the Gold Coast sounds like my kind of place – sun, sand and plenty of entertainment. So I’m looking forward to checking it out after my rounds.”

“We are creating a festival of golf and we feel that Ian Poulter will complement this nicely” – Brian Thorburn, PGA of Australia CEO

A popular player with fans, Poulter will add some colour to a tournament which is fast gaining a reputation as a festival atmosphere.

“This year at the Australian PGA Championship we are creating a festival of golf, and we feel that Ian Poulter, with his engaging personality, will complement this nicely,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

“Not only is Ian a great character, he is also an exceptional player. Aussie golf fans love watching talented players with personality, so we are sure that Ian will be a big hit on the Gold Coast this year.”

Poulter will be returning to a happy hunting ground, having produced some excellent results in Australia over the years.

READ MORE -> Poulter to receive top PGA award

On his last trip ‘Down Under’, Poulter went head-to-head with Scott at the 2013 Australian Masters, eventually finishing runner-up.

Poulter and Scott will be joined by a talented line-up of players including Marc Leishman, Scott Hend, Marcus Fraser and defending champion Nathan Holman.

Follow @BunkeredOnline

Ian Poulter: Will he play in the Ryder Cup again?

A veteran of five Ryder Cup matches as a player, Ian Poulter was forced to sit out this year’s match at Hazeltine through injury. Do you think he can rediscover his best form in time to play in the 2018 match in France? Leave your thoughts below.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor