Ian Poulter insists he is feeling sharp and believes he has a good chance of winning this week’s US Masters at Augusta.
The 37-year-old Englishman has still to win a Major, although he has played a key role in several successful Ryder Cup campaigns for Europe against the USA in the last decade.
Poulter is 45/1 to win the US Masters and 12/1 to be the top European at the tournament.
The world number 12 is confident that he can become the first Englishman since Nick Faldo triumphed at Augusta in 1996 to win a Major and the first European to clinch the Masters since Jose Maria Olazabal emerged victorious 14 years ago.
I’m fired up to play well again this year and try to slip one of those jackets on come Sunday.
Ian Poulter
Poulter finished seventh at Augusta last year while his best result in a Major came at the 2008 Open Championship when he came second behind Padraig Harrington at Royal Birkdale.
Poulter, who has made the cut in each of his eight previous appearances at the Masters, said: “I’ve looked at my stats and I think this (tournament) is my best chance.
“I feel very good about my game right now. I’ve played five events since the start of the year and played last week, something slightly different. I’ve never played the week before the Masters.
“I’ve always had a couple of weeks off but I wanted to get another tournament in before coming here so I could be match-sharp. And although I didn’t finish the week off well, I feel that I’m ready.
“I’ve hit the right shots in practice. I generally play the course pretty well. I’m fired up to play well again this year and try to slip one of those jackets on come Sunday.
“There’s no anxiety. I know this week is probably my best chance, so I just need to go out there and perform. I don’t have sleepless nights over it. If I did it would be through excitement, and I think I’ll be able to play on no sleep come Sunday if I had to.”
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Padraig Harrington has his sights set on a third Open victory.