ENGLAND - Ryder Cup legend Ian ‘The Postman’ Poulter is set to return to his homeland for International Series England, and is one of a number of marquee names to be confirmed in the field at Foxhills Club & Resort from Aug. 8-11.
It is the second time that Poulter will play the Asian Tour’s enhanced event on British soil. Poulter finished runner-up in last year's edition.
The co-captain of Majesticks GC will be joined by a host of other LIV Golf League stablemates at the event which will be played in the heart of Surrey golf country.
Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion representing Smash GC, has also been confirmed along with Harold Varner III of 4Aces GC, Anirban Lahiri from Crushers GC, and Branden Grace from South African Stinger GC. Richard Bland of Cleeks GC and English compatriot Sam Horsfield of Majesticks GC will also be featured.
Poulter has an impressive international pedigree with three tournament victories on the PGA Tour and 12 on the DP World Tour, including two wins in co-sanctioned Asian Tour events - the Barclays Singapore Open in 2009 and UBS Hong Kong Open in 2010.
The Majesticks GC co-captain was also a phenomenal Ryder Cup Team Europe player. His total of 16 points helped Team Europe win five of the seven Ryder Cups he appeared in. It was his emotionally charged clutch putts that stayed long in the memory, earning him the nickname ‘The Postman’ because he always delivered on the greens.
At International Series England in 2023, the Lee Westwood Colt Course at Close House was Poulter’s playground. He made 14 birdies and one eagle to finish runner-up, as 2023 International Series Rankings winner and now HyFlyers GC team member Andy Ogletree took the title.
On his return to International Series England for 2024, he said: “Playing in England has and always will be very special for me. Having home crowds and family and friends supporting is always awesome.
"I’m very much looking forward to playing the International Series event at Foxhills. For me to be back home is going to be a truly special summer.
“Foxhills is a course that is only one hour 20 from my front door, but it is a course I have not played yet. I am looking forward to getting there and playing a few practice rounds and getting a look at the venue, and then really giving it a good go.”
A host of stars from the Asian Tour have also been confirmed as they seek invaluable points in the season-long race for The International Series Rankings title, with the champion securing a place on the LIV Golf League and over 30 places available for the season-ending LIV Golf Promotions event.
John Catlin will be one of the favourites. The in-form American recently completed back-to-back tournament wins, clinching the Saudi Open presented by PIF following his thrilling play-off win over David Puig at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
Two-time Hong Kong Open champion Wade Ormsby, 11-time champion Gaganjeet Bhullar of India, and talented Thai newcomer Denwit Boriboonsub, who won three consecutive tournaments at the tail end of the 2023 season, are also among the Asian Tour talent confirmed to tee it up at Foxhills.
Poulter expects more LIV Golf League stars and Asian Tour heavyweights to sign up.
“With the scheduling that the Asian Tour has done, it enables a few of the LIV Golf players to compete on The International Series which is fantastic," Poulter said. "I think you will see a lot of guys play events like this to get that extra competition and also gain valuable world ranking points.
“It is fantastic for everyone, it boosts the competition and gives the Asian Tour those stronger fields and higher purses, and that provides a great stepping stone for those players striving to get onto the LIV Golf League, which is potentially life changing.
"It gives them a fantastic opportunity and with that you are seeing better competition, stronger international fields and great golf generally."