the masters 2008 ian poulter

All the Talk at Augusta is of how the UK has got it’s golfing mojo back thanks to brilliant displays by Ian Poulter and Paul Casey on day two of The Masters 2008.

Ian Poulter added to his first day 70 with a terrific  69 to take his tally to 5-under at the half-way stage, three off the lead. But it is not just his performance that is catching America’s eye. As well as taking him seriously as a golfer now they are falling for his flair and honesty too. His stock rose when the news that Poulter had talked of being good enough to take on Tiger  on his day and he’s backed it up with a serious title challenge here in Augusta. Many in the crowd are now cheering him on as nothing goes down better in America than a sharply style  hole-in-one showman!

Englishman Paul Casey moved serenely through the field with a 3-under par 69 too  to add to his 71 yesterday. After playing the front nine in level par he made a birdie at the difficult 10th, and another at the par-5 15th. But, he left his best until last, making a birdie up the final hole, which is one of the toughest holes on the course.

“Yesterday was the best first round I’ve had at Augusta by a long way,” he said. “In the past, I’ve always had to battle my way back into things. This year is slightly different.”

“It’s nice that Trevor [Immelman] shot 8-under because it gave me something to chase. That’s an unbelievable score. I played very, very good golf. I let a few putts slip by, but I’m extremely happy. I had hoped my game was coming around. I haven’t played very good golf this year. I had two weeks off preparing with my coach, Peter Kostis, back in Scottsdale, and I felt my game was right where I wanted it to be. I’ve worked incredibly hard and it’s great that my game has finally come good.”