Ian Poulter's son just misses out on US Open slot
The Poulter family came so close to once again being represented in next week's US Open. However, it was not Ryder Cup legend Ian who suffered play-off agony in the final qualifier for the season's third major – but his 21-year-old old son, Luke.
However, there is still a slight chance that Poulter Jnr might tee it up at Oakmont as one of the primary reserves. It would be the least he deserves.
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Poulter staged a remarkable display at the weather-delayed shoot-out in Florida, showing the competitive gumption of his father to take American Austen Truslow – who not so long ago was a member of the PGA Tour – to sudden death in the fight to gain the last place in the field.
In doing so, the University of Florida student left behind the likes of Rickie Fowler, Max Homa and Sergio García, who failed to get nearly so close in their respective 36-holers.
To emphasise the level of Poulter's achievement, Nicolai Hojgaard played alongside him in the same qualifier. But the Dane, who made his Ryder Cup debut two years ago, could not live with his playing partner as he added a 65 to his morning 69 to reach 10 under par and give himself the opportunity of tackling Truslow for the final of the four spots on offer at Emerald Dunes, in West Palm Beach.
After beginning the second round with an eagle and two birdies, Poulter looked likely to go through automatically. But after falling one short – Americans Justin Hicks, Phil Barbaree and Frankie Harris all advanced on 11 under – Poulter watched in despair as Truslow, a golfer best known for chipping one-handed, denied him a major debut.
Poulter Jnr sleeping next to the Ryder Cup on the flight back to Heathrow after Europe's victory at Oakland Hills in 2004 - Getty Images/Andrew Redington
He must only take positives from this, however. Two other factors made his feat yet more special. First, he had to go through local qualifying just to reach this stage and the fact there were more than 10,000 entrants should put it in perspective. (Ian, now on the LIV circuit, did not enter, having not appeared in the US Open for three years).
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Secondly, Luke fractured his back last year and was forced out of the game for seven months. It was a huge and deeply worrying blow for an up-and-comer, who in his only previous start in a top-level pro-event – the Asian Tour Series in Newcastle in 2023 – finished in the top 25.
But he remained resilient and when he celebrated his first college victory in March, a few months after he returned to competition, Poulter snr could not contain his emotions.
'We couldn't be more proud of Luke for his first collegiate individual event win,' Poulter posted on X. 'This means so much to him most importantly. Having to sit out for seven months last year with a fractured L4 [vertebra] was not easy. But hard work, an incredible mindset and a wonderful team of people around him to keep him focused and positive.'
Blessedly, Poulter Jnr does not have much time to stew on this near miss. At the end of this week, he will attempt to channel his father's team-golf qualities when he plays for the Internationals in the Palmer Cup. The annual match against the Americans features university students and this year's three-day event takes place in South Carolina.
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There is another Englishman in the visiting side in Tyler Weaver and the highly rated 22-year-old was successful in his attempt to earn an Oakmont berth at a qualifier on Monday. Weaver boasts his own famous sporting father – the former jockey Jason Weaver.
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