Ian Poulter ready to make ‘Moving Day’ move

Ian Poulter goes into his ‘Moving Day’ round at The Open insisting he is battle hardened for the task ahead.

Some 11 years ago here Poults was in ninth spot before the infamous Saturday storm swept in at Muirfield, causing a litany of high scores amid a swale of doom.

Conditions are a little more overcast today, after the baking hot opening two days, and Poults said before his 1.55pm tee-time with Bubba Watson: “I don’t think I’m going to get blown off the golf course, like I did 11 years ago. I’m going to enjoy the fact of getting out there on a firm, fast golf course. It’s challenging. It’s interesting. It’s a classic links test.”

And this time around, Poults is tied for 11th at +1 for the championship after rounds of 72, 71. He’s been critical of some pin placements but is enjoying the tough test as he bids to win his debut major.

He stated: “I’ve got 11 guys in front of me – and they aren’t going to fall over and let me win, are they? I’ve put myself in a nice position. It’s been a battle. I played some flawless golf on the front nine yesterday and got a little out of position on the back – but I managed to hang in there.

“Conditions are not easy – the easterly wind is difficult to play in – and it’s hard to get close to any of those pins. What we don’t want is a pin that’s sat on the top of a little knoll. We just have to wait and see where they put them – they can make it easier or harder for us.

“But I think there will be a weeding out this weekend. I don’t think guys can really shoot a low, low round, in this wind direction, but guys can definitely come from a short way back.

“It’s pretty wide open, but I fancy my chances. I’d love to win this. You’ve got to suck it up, head down, grind through it. You don’t have another option if you want to win the tournament.”