Poulter’s in the pink after gritty passion show sets him up for Ryder Cup

Get in there: Poulter and his caddie celebrate a brilliant 15ft-putt at the last hole

They were wrong. Poulter got a whole lot closer yesterday and, but for a storming finish by Padraig Harrington, The Open might have been won by a man dressed from waist to toe in pale pink. Shades of Doug Sanders in 1970 who, it has to be said, went even closer.

Maybe that should be power pink, a lighter tone than Tiger Woods’ power red, his traditional final day colour. For when Poulter is in full sail as he was for the latter part of the afternoon, cajoling his ball to fly truly and remonstrating at the unpredictable bounces of links golf, there are few sights more exciting on a golf course.

Several times he followed a purely-struck approach with a D’Artagnan-like twirl of his club and a double-time march after his ball. The quick swing and the quick step give the impression of someone in a hurry, someone to be watched.

It makes you forget some of Poulter’s whackier outbursts and the stunts that inspire disapproval from more than the serially prudish. Naked ambition good; naked bad.

One would assume that had he won The Open he would have declined any big-money offer to pose with the trophy and without his clothes.

‘When I reach my potential there will be only me and Tiger,’

Poulter had said earlier in the year to the annoyance of the world No 1 and the delight of golfing satirists. With Woods missing, Harrington faltering at one stage and Norman struggling to recover from a poor start, there was very nearly only Poulter.

But not quite and that’s not nearly enough for Poulter, never mind the record books.

Strive to win: Poulter with his second place trophy, but he wants the Claret jug.

Poulter, of all people, a standard bearer for a brash new world, is not one to go overboard about second place. Asked if his runner-up position surpassed his previous achievements, even his European Tour victories, he was unequivocal.

‘No, it’s all about winning,’ he replied.

‘I finished second. I’m not going to hold a second place as high as some of my wins. It’s all about winning. Padraig has shown he’s a worthy winner again, and that’s what you strive for. You do not strive for second. You strive to win and that’s what will make me practise harder and harder.’

Nobody could quibble with that attitude. Nor could anyone argue with the effort and emotion which Poulter pours into every shot, most demonstrably the 15ft-putt to save par at the final hole. If anything, he tries too hard, attacks with more vigour than sense. The crowd sense it, they see it and they love it.

There is a flamboyance in his golf as well as with his garb. Which is why, nationality and sentiment apart, Poulter generated the loudest cheers as he stormed into contention by birdieing the 11th, hitting his approach close at the 13th and grabbing a birdie at the 16th.

That gave him a share of the lead and ensured an even greater reception as he marched down the 72nd fairway, visor raised high, sunglasses removed.

‘To hear everybody screaming and shouting and driving you on is a massive adrenaline rush,’ he said.

‘It’s a massive boost. I’ve done my best and it has not been quite good enough. But I’ll be back for lots more of this.’

It was a pity he failed to birdie either of the par fives in the final stretch as he finished seven over for the tournament, four strokes behind Harrington.

Nice look: Poulter with those Claret jug trousers

He said: ‘I missed from five feet at the 13th and I three-putted the 17th, which is a bit frustrating. It might have pushed Paddy a little bit harder.’

Finally, though, Poulter had produced an Open performance which would be remembered more for what he did than what he donned. Remember the Union Jack trousers of 2004 at Royal Troon and the aforementioned Claret Jug ones of 2005.  

Not that he will stop making his fashion statements, as well as his own clothes. Like Greg Norman, Poulter has his own design company. IJP, standing for Ian James Poulter, is a manifestation of a lifetime’s interest in fashion starting from the days when he spent his pocket money at the Saturday market in Stevenage.

What a day it might have been for the town if Poulter could have matched the triumph of Stevenage’s other contemporary famous son, Lewis Hamilton, who won the German Grand Prix.

By way of consolation, Poulter has moved nearer Ryder Cup selection. Nick Faldo could not fail to be impressed by his final surge.

‘I’ve certainly put myself right back in the picture,’ he said.

‘Let’s hope this will springboard me on to have a massive push over the next few weeks before the Ryder Cup team gets picked. I feel like I’ve got a lot to offer the side.’

Poulter will care not a jot if he has to wear Faldo’s choice of clothing.