Ian Poulter, now married and has launched his own clothing range.

Ian Poulter joins star-studded Qatar Masters field

NEWS RELEASE
World No 11 Ian Poulter has joined what is once again growing to be another powerful field for the $2.5 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, to be staged later this month at Doha, Qatar.
The flamboyant and talented Englishman will join fellow world top 20 stars Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey, Kenny Perry, Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen for the European Tour event being played from January 28-31 at Doha Golf Club.
Although the stylish 33 year-old has yet to win on the Gulf stage, he displayed tremendous consistency throughout 2009 which culminated in victory at the Singapore Open in November for his eighth European Tour title, en route to finishing ninth in The Race to Dubai. And with 2010 being Ryder Cup year, the ardent Arsenal fan – a captain’s pick by Nick Faldo in 2008 - will be determined to make the team on his own merits this time around.
“Although Europe failed to win the Ryder Cup in 2008, Ian Poulter was undoubtedly one of the stars of the European team,” said Hassan Al Nuami, President of the Qatar Golf Association (QGA), organisers of the tournament in association with the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and title sponsors Commercialbank.
“He couldn’t make it last year as he was recovering from eye surgery so he’ll receive a warm welcome back from all of us in Doha in two weeks.”
In 2008, Poulter nearly captured his first Major but finished runner-up in The 137th Open Championship and fully justified Faldo’s decision to pick him as a wild card for the Ryder Cup by scoring four points out of a possible five at Valhalla.
“I don't think I could probably play under as much pressure as I did at the Ryder Cup, to be honest with you,” said Poulter, talking of his controversial wild card experience. “Everything from now on in… hopefully I can enjoy and play golf.
One of the most colourful figures in the game, Poulter also enjoyed a busy year in 2007, making the cut in all four Majors, winning the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan, marrying his long-time fiancée Katie and launching his own clothing range, Ian Poulter Design.
“Everyone who loves sport enjoys seeing players who are not only wonderful at their game but are also great characters,” said Commercialbank Group CEO Andrew Stevens.
“I think we were all a little disappointed when Ian opted out of playing in the three Desert Swing events last year. He adds a great deal of colour to the event and I remember how generous he was at a golf clinic held for Doha’s youngsters back in 2008. It will be a pleasure to have him back in Qatar and we wish him every success in 2010.”