Ian Poulter Profile & Career Earnings
Ian Poulter is a professional golfer from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England. Since turning pro in 1995, Poulter has won 17 professional events including three PGA Tour wins. Poulter is mainly known for his stellar play in Ryder Cup matches where he has represented the European team.
Ian Poulter Quick Facts
| Born | January 10, 1976 |
| Hometown | Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England |
| College | N/A |
| Turned Pro | 1995 |
| Major Championship Wins | 0 |
| PGA Tour Wins | 3 |
| Total Professional Wins | 17 |
| Career Earnings | $49,833,030 |
| Spouse | Katie Poulter |
*wins and career earnings current through December 2022
Ian Poulter Career Highlights
Ian Poulter was an assistant pro and golf shop manager prior to turning pro in 1995. He played on developmental tours in Europe and won his first professional event at the 1999 Open de Côte d'Ivoire on the Challenge Tour. Later that year he qualified for the European Tour (now DP World Tour) for 2000.
In his rookie season, Poulter won the 2000 Italian Open and the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award. From 2001 to 2012, Poulter claimed 11 more titles on the European Tour, including the 2004 Volvo Masters Andalucía, which he won in a playoff over Sergio Garcia.
Ian Poulter earned his first PGA Tour win at the 2010 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship where he won 4 and 2 over Paul Casey. His two other PGA Tour wins are the 2012 WGC-HSBC Champions and the 2018 Houston Open.
Poulter has eight top-10 finishes in major championships, including three in 2012. His only finish outside of the top 10 that year came at the U.S. Open. His closest call came in the 2008 British Open when he held the clubhouse lead but ultimately lost to Padraig Harrington.
Ian Poulter is mainly known for his performance in Ryder Cup matches. A force on the European team, Poulter has competed in seven Ryder Cups (2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020) and has a 15-8-2 record. Most notably, his singles match record is 6-0-1. Being a part of five winning teams and responsible for 16 points, Poulter has earned accolades as being one of the best match play and team competition players in golf history.
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In his career, Poulter has made a few controversial comments, including his 2008 comments about his game compared to Tiger Woods when he said, “Don’t get me wrong, I really respect every professional golfer but I know I haven’t played to my full potential and when that happens, it will be just me and Tiger.”
In 2022, Poulter accepted an offer to join LIV Golf, receiving a reported $20 to $30 million. The decision landed Poulter in a legal battle with other LIV players and the PGA Tour over being ineligible for PGA Tour play. Poulter’s future in Ryder Cup competitions as well as on the DP World Tour are also questionable.
Poulter’s career earnings total $49,833,030.
About Ian Poulter
Ian and Kaite Poulter
Ian Poulter was born on January 10, 1976 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England. He was introduced to the game by his father, Terry, who was a single-digit handicap player.
Poulter is known for having a unique fashion sense on the golf course. He is also an avid Ferrari collector and owns a $7 million LaFerrari Aperta.
Poulter and his wife, Katie, were married in 2007 and they have four children. They own homes in Orlando, Florida as well as Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.