My sporting weekend

I am not the biggest fan of Ian Poulter, He is a tad too flash for my tastes with his 11 Ferraris. I grew up in the era of scruffs like Neil Coles who wore baggy waterproofs billowing in the wind whilst the Yanks all looked as sleek as seals.

Poults is not the first sharp dresser nor the last.

There was Max Faulkner, ‘champagne’ Tony Lema, Payne Stewart and now Bryson Deschambaud and Ricky Fowler.

There are two surprising features about Poulter.

Firstly, that he should be so friendly with the humbler Justin Rose and secondly, he is still competitive.

Last week at the Matchplay he was told a quarter final place would assure him entry to the Masters. Having achieved that, he was told that was incorrect and he needed a semi which he failed to gain after losing out 8 & 6 to Kevin Kisner.

Undeterred he goes and wins the Houston Open after being in 223rd place in a play-off over Beau Hossler, sinking a 18 foot putt to birdie the 18th. Given winning was the only means of Masters entry this is testament  to a gritty competitive spirit.

I’m not in favour of too many veteran picks for the Ryder Cup but, given that competitive spirit and his Ryder Cup record, I would like to see Poulter out there at the National in Paris next September.

I did not have too much to boast about. Russell Henley finished in an each-way position, bringing me in the princely sum of £4, and I laid the draw in Chelsea v Spurs though after the latter’s half performance I thought their dismal record at Stamford Bridge would continue.

The Masters is soon upon us and I fancy Jordan Spieth here, though oldies Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson are worth a tickle.