Wednesday 16 July 2014 16:03, UK
Ian Poulter is bullish about his chances of securing a maiden major victory in this week’s Open Championship at Hoylake.
The Englishman was only cleared to play on Tuesday after having an MRI scan on a wrist injury he sustained during last week's Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen.
Poulter missed the cut the last time the Open was staged at Hoylake in 2006 but the Ryder Cup star is confident he is now far better equipped to deal with the challenges the course presents.
“I like the golf course,” said Poulter. “I think my golf game has changed a lot in eight years.
“I feel more equipped. I have had good results in the Open since then so I know that I can play links golf pretty well.
“I think my game plan over the last few years has been better. You know, trying to stay away from trouble is a good thing and there is plenty of that around this golf course."
Of the four majors, the Open is the one Poulter has come closest to winning, finishing second behind Ireland’s Padraig Harrington in 2008 and joint third at Muirfield last year.
Those results give Poulter confidence entering this tournament and he is adamant his experience will give him an edge at Hoylake this time around.
“I think it is going to play very different to 2006,” he said. “I think there is not as many iron shots off the tees.
“There will be a couple more drivers, but literally only a couple more drivers.
“I feel I know the course better than I did in 2006. It was new to me in 2006 but it is not new to me today.”
Poulter is scheduled to tee off at 9.37am on Thursday, in a group that also features American pair Dustin Johnson and Jimmy Walker.
