Poulter sees this weekend as chance to rise to next level

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Ian Poulter is looking to ride a hot putter to a breakthrough victory this week.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The chips are adding up.

First there was that brilliant 69 on a pressure-packed Sunday as the winds whipped Royal Birkdale that earned Ian Poulter a solo second at the Open Championship last year.

Inside the Numbers

Poulter thru 36 Holes

Category Total Rank Eagles 0 N/A Birdies 11 T8 Pars 23 T27 Bogeys 2 T80 Double Bogeys 0 N/A Other 0 N/A Driving Accuracy 71.4% T27 Driving Distance 285.0 yds. T46 Greens in Regulation 69.4% T23 Putts per Round 26.5 T13 Putts per GIR 1.600 9 Sand Saves 0.0% T64

And what about that gutsy 4-1-0 performance at Valhalla as the Englishman tried to single-handedly rescue his European comrades from a crushing Ryder Cup defeat?

Is it any surprise that Poulter finds himself two shots off the lead at the midway point of THE PLAYERS Championship? And more importantly, is this the week he finally cashes in?

The normally colorful Poulter, decidedly restrained in Carolina blue and white on a hot, muggy Friday, fired a 68 on the TPC Sawgrass' famed Stadium Course to move into sole possession of second place in the PGA TOUR's signature event.

While he has won seven times across the pond, the 33-year-old Brit has never won a TOUR event. Given his recent history, maybe it's only fitting Poulter gets his first victory at an event with a major-league field and a course to match.

"I feel this is probably the fifth major," Poulter said. "There's great crowds, and it's set up very, very tough. I enjoy playing on the big stage."

The last player to make THE PLAYERS his first TOUR victory was Craig Perks, the personable New Zealander who stunned the world when he won in 2002. A Poulter win certainly wouldn't be as much of a surprise, but it couldn't come at a better time.

"It would be a step forward," said Poulter, who tied for 20th at the Masters and followed with shares of 12th and fifth in his last two starts. "It would mean everything. It would mean a couple years of hard work.

"It would mean carrying over from the Ryder Cup. The way I played there, the way I played at the Open, it would mean a lot. It would mean stepping up another level."

Poulter has long wanted to make that move. He was roundly criticized for some misconstrued comments a little more than a year ago, when he appeared to indicate that if he played to his full potential it would just be him and Tiger Woods.

The Brit isn't lacking confidence, to be sure. But Poulter was quick to explain he was misquoted and what he actually said was that he thought if he played his best he could get to No. 2 in the world.

"Therefore, the comment was, 'It would be a dream to sit back one day and look at the world rankings and see it say, Tiger Woods and then me,'" Poulter said at the time.

Now, Phil Mickelson might have something to say about that right now. But the big left-hander made the cut on the number while Poulter has gone through 36 holes on a golf course he says can tempt players into "rash" decisions with just two bogeys.

"I enjoy the golf course," Poulter said. "I enjoy the test. I enjoy some of the tee shots which capture your attention. You have to step up and hit a decent tee shot at certain times. I enjoy playing under pressure."

Poulter actually hasn't played that much this year. He had LASIK surgery in January and he and his wife Katie welcomed their third child, Lilly-Mae, to the family earlier this year. The family has been able to travel more lately, and he finds himself content.

When Poulter has played, though, he's put forth a quality effort. He has only missed one cut -- at Bay Hill in Orlando, where he has a second home -- and the tie for 20th at Augusta National was his lowest finish in his other six starts.

"I think it's been an interesting time since the Ryder Cup," Poulter admitted. "I haven't played many tournaments ... until now. Am I surprised (by my position)? Yeah, maybe.

"But I've got off to a great start this year, and I felt that I've left a lot of shots on the golf course over the last few tournaments, and if I can make a lot of pars where I've made a couple silly bogeys, then I'm still going to make those birdies that I have been and I'm going to put myself in position."

Poulter couldn't ask for a better position on Saturday, teeing off in the final pairing at 2:35 p.m. ET with Alex Cejka. He knows some of the game's best have ground to make up, but Poulter plans to go full speed ahead.

"If guys are going to come from behind and try and make a challenge, then that's what they have to do," he said. "I'm not going to really be focusing on who's behind me and who could potentially come up behind me. I just want to keep doing what I'm doing and keep making birdies."

Besides, if the truth be told, Poulter can't imagine playing under more pressure than he did at the Ryder Cup in Kentucky last September. He was a somewhat controversial Captain's Pick, but he more than earned his spot.

"Everything from now on in, hopefully I can enjoy playing golf," Poulter said.

And Sunday could be very enjoyable, as a result.