Could it be lucky 13 for Ian Poulter in Dubai

The DP World Tour Championship gets underway today (Thursday) with the best players on The European Tour ready to compete for $8 million in prize-money in the final leg of The Race to Dubai. With season tickets for the four day event being offered free of charge to the public for the fourth year in succession, large crowds are expected for an event that will see all 12 of Europe’s Ryder Cup winning team – including the world’s top two players Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald – in action for the first time since Europe’s stunning comeback victory over the USA in September.

A key man in that victory was the mercurial Ian Poulter and the Englishman is determined to turn that steely Ryder Cup determination into more tournament wins in the future.

“My golf has been great since then – an extension of The Ryder Cup really – with a fourth place, a second and a win in my last three tournaments,” he said during a break in practice at the Greg Norman-designed Earth course, Jumeirah Golf Estates.

“The Ryder Cup shows what I can do when I focus my mind. I’m going to have to work hard inside my little head to focus as well as I do when I play Ryder Cup.”

Poulter’s intense determination to win Ryder Cup matches is renowned and the DP World Tour Championship runner-up in 2010 knows a repeat of that will-to-win will play a big part in helping the World Number 13 win his 13th European Tour title.

“I keep looking at my stats and there are areas when I can improve,” he added. “I would like to drive it a bit better than I do and I think my mid-iron play could improve a bit but I would expect myself to putt like I’ve been putting the last three weeks and that makes a huge difference.”
Looking back to 2010 when a dropped ball on to his ball marker cost Poulter a penalty stroke in the play-off against eventual winner Robert Karlsson, Poulter denied he was out for revenge on the Earth course.

“The tournament owes me nothing. Obviously I made a mistake and dropped my ball on the coin so it doesn’t owe me a thing. I like the golf course and I’ve obviously played it very well in the past so I expect to be in contention this week. I have plenty of opportunities to make birdies and I am in good putting form so hopefully that will continue this week and I can get my hands on a nice big trophy.”

While Poulter will play in game 27 and tee off with South Africa’s Branden Grace at 12.20pm, getting the tournament underway today (Thursday) at 7.52am will be Richard Finch of England with the rest of the players teeing off in groups of two until McIlroy and Sweden’s Peter Hanson take to the course in the final two ball at 12.40pm.

Throughout the four days, a wide variety of food and beverage outlets will keep fans refreshed, while organisers have provided entertainment and fun for all in the Championship Village. Gates open at 7.00am with free season tickets for the tournament available online by registering at www.dpwtc.com.

Included in the Championship Village are free golf lessons for children, free golf instruction for adults, live music from around 5.00pm, live trick shot shows courtesy of world-renowned David Edwards and a giant screen broadcasting all the action as it happens.

A free bus service will operate from 2.00pm to 8.00pm each day from the tournament to Arabian Ranches, Barasti, Bidi Bondi, Dubai Marina Yacht Club, the Green Community, Nasimi Beach and Wafi.

Caption: Ian Poulter believes a 13th European Tour title at this week’s DP World Tour Championship is within reach