Ian Poulter's Son Luke Wins First Collegiate Title
The 18-year-old Florida Gator won the Willow Cup in Alabama after rounds of 67 and 68
Ian Poulter's son Luke won his maiden collegiate title at the Willow Cup in Alabama, shooting rounds of 67 and 68 for a nine-under-par total and a one stroke victory.
The 18-year-old, who plays for the 'Gators' as a freshman at the University of Florida, played his last seven holes in five-under-par at Willow Point Golf and Country Club.
"I know this has felt a very long time coming… But Luke we couldn’t more proud," dad Ian wrote on social media. "Winning isn’t easy and it’s not supposed to be. The hours of hard work and disappointments make this all the sweeter. You will reach your goals and more."
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Poulter senior and junior famously had an emotional embrace on camera following Europe's victory at the 2018 Ryder Cup, with Ian telling his son after defeating then-World No.1 Dustin Johnson in the singles: "That's why you need to go and practice. You'll never experience anything like it."
Luke has clearly taken those words to heart, with a professional career set to be in the works following his spell at the University of Florida. He also made the quarter finals at this year's English Amateur Championship and appeared in the R&A's Boys Amateur.
Luke has even caddied for his dad out on the PGA Tour and was on the bag at the 150th Open at St Andrews in July.
He currently ranks 4113th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking - having only appeared in two sanctioned events - but is set to rise thanks to his Willow Cup win and should climb the rankings throughout his time at the University of Florida.
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The Florida Gators have won four national titles, with the likes of Billy Horschel, Chris DiMarco and Camillo Villegas graduating from the university to the professional ranks.
Luke Poulter isn't the only Ryder Cup legend's son to be following in his father's footsteps, with Lee Westwood's son Sam also set for a playing career. Sam made his pro debut recently at the Indonesian Masters on the Asian Tour.
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Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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