Ian Poulter seeking Ryder Cup 'inspiration' with putting change in LIV Golf - 'I am trying to tune into a bit of 2010'
Published 08/03/2026 at 09:12 GMT
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Ian Poulter was grinding on the greens ahead of the final round of LIV Golf Hong Kong at Fanling on Sunday. Poulter was out with some gadgets and told TNT Sports that he was looking to tinker with his stroke to find the feel with the putter that propelled him to such success earlier in his career. Watch and stream the LIV Golf season live on TNT Sports.
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Ian Poulter told TNT Sports he was looking to revive the magic of 2010 with a grip change to his putting technique.
The putter has long been the key club in Poulter’s bag, with his efforts on the greens helping Team Europe to victories at Ryder Cups in 2010 and 2012.
Poulter won three of his four matches during the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, and famously said before his singles contest with Matt Kuchar: "I live for the Ryder Cup. That’s why I’m here. I will deliver a point."
The Englishman was true to his word, as he produced a dominant display in a 5&4 success as Europe secured a 14.5-13.5 win.
At LIV Golf Hong Kong this week, Poulter struggled on the greens over the opening 36 holes.
After rounds of 70 and 69, Poulter made a shift to his grip and it led to a 67 in difficult conditions in the third round.
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Prior to the final round at Fanling, Poulter gave TNT Sports an insight into his thought process on the greens.
"I am trying to tune into a bit of 2010," Poulter told TNT Sports. "I need a bit of inspiration from this wand of mine.
"I putted a bit better yesterday. I gave five shots to the field over the first two days, which is very much unlike my statistics, and yesterday I gained back 2.3 of those - which was good."
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Asked about what led to the improvement, Poulter said: "Slight grip change.
"I do a ton of practice in practice rounds putting with one hand. I hold it a little bit more in my palm one-handed, and I putt amazing.
"Then when I put two hands on it I do not hold it the same. So I am trying to put my right hand in the same position as when I putt one handed.
"I rolled it a lot better yesterday, so hopefully it continues and we can get back some of the lost stuff."
Another player who struggled on the greens on the third day was Dean Burmester. He made one birdie over the course of the 18 holes, and told TNT Sports that he made a move to inspire change overnight.
"I probably tried a little too hard [yesterday]," Burmester said. "I did take my putter to bed with me, I kept it warm and tried to heat it up and hopefully today I will make a few more.
"I hit three putts that didn't go in [on Saturday]. I made one birdie all day. You're not going to win a golf tournament like that.
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"I hit some amazing golf shots out there. I hit some poor ones, probably on the wrong holes. Hit some great shots. I went bogey-free. Just didn't make any putts. Got to find a way to lift myself up.
"I did not feel like I did too much wrong yesterday, that’s the game of golf. I have just got to hang around and give myself a chance.
"There are some tough holes out there, with it gusting and being a bit firmer. I think they are going to firm up and if that happens and they get quick, it will be an interesting test."
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Watch and stream the LIV Golf season live on TNT Sports.
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