Ian Poulter addresses LIV Golf struggles as pressure ramps up at home event

Ian Poulter is hoping to win his home tournament (Image: Getty Images)

Ian Poulter has openly confessed that clinching a win at the LIV Golf event on his home turf at JCB Country Club this week "would mean an awful lot," as he aims for his inaugural triumph on the controversial tour since joining two years ago.

Back in Blighty, Poulter is gearing up for the UK leg of the LIV series, which has shifted from Centurion Club to the prestigious JCB grounds in Uttoxeter. The English golf ace was one of the high-profile players to defect to the Saudi-backed circuit last year, yet he's struggled to hit the heights expected of him.

Poulter reflected: "I don't think I've delivered the performance in the LIV events that I think I should have done. I'm not happy with my play over the last couple of seasons."

He continued, detailing his recent form: "I think I'm very close. Had one decent round of golf and two OK rounds of golf and played 16 great holes and two poor holes."

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Emphasising the significance of a potential victory, he said: "It would mean an awful lot... For me, it's about having the right adrenaline, the right attitude, the right mindset to go out there this week, have fun on the golf course with the fans, enjoy myself.

Ian Poulter has struggled to find his best form since joining LIV Golf (Image: Getty Images)

Poulter, often hailed as 'The Postman' for his knack of delivering when it counts, especially during Europe's legendary 'Miracle at Medinah' Ryder Cup win in 2012, has had a storied career marked by numerous successes, particularly in the Ryder Cup where he has established himself as one of Europe's all-time greats.

On the DP World Tour, he has 12 wins to his name, adding a further three on the PGA Tour, his last coming at the Houston Open in 2018. A win this week though would go right up alongside his previous success.

"If we are successful this week, this will rank pretty highly, being 48 and a bit," he added.

Some of the Majesticks' strongest finishes have come on British soil, with the all-European team also including Lee Westwood, Sam Horsfield and Henrik Stenson finishing third in 2022 and fifth in 2023. Explaining the importance of the home crowd to their efforts, Poulter commented: "The home fan is a big piece of the puzzle for us.

"I think to have that level of support, you've got that little bit of extra pressure to want to go and play well in front of home fans, which is good, because it gets the adrenaline going early.Your brain is switched on right from the get go. But in terms of knowledge of course, we need to learn it just as much as everyone else does. We'll be pulling onthe home fans this week."

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One of Poulter's teammates, Horsfield, who is a member at the JCB course, disclosed during Tuesday's press conference that he resides just five minutes away from the site. The local lad has provided a detailed strategy for the Majesticks to clinch the championship by Sunday.

"Someone asked me yesterday what I think was going to be key for winning here," Horsfield stated. "Iron play, distance control, and being able to leave it in the right spots."

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Ian Poulter addresses LIV Golf struggles as pressure ramps up at home event

Ian Poulter addresses LIV Golf struggles as pressure ramps up at home event

Ian Poulter addresses LIV Golf struggles as pressure ramps up at home event

Ian Poulter addresses LIV Golf struggles as pressure ramps up at home event

Ian Poulter addresses LIV Golf struggles as pressure ramps up at home event