Wednesday 4 April 2018 16:51, UK
Ian Poulter admits he is going into the Masters with "zero expectations" after securing an invite to Augusta National at the last minute.
The 42-year-old Englishman booked his place in the opening major of the year after beating American rookie Beau Hossler in a play-off to win the Houston Open title on Sunday.
Poulter, whose best finish in his previous 12 Masters appearances is a tie for sixth place in 2015, took Monday off to recover from his exertions and only arrived at the course on Tuesday afternoon, limiting his preparations for the tournament, although he hopes that could work in his favour.
"I have zero expectations," he said. "I have never pitched up to the Masters on a Tuesday afternoon, I would never have done as little preparation as I'm about to do for this event.
"As confident as I feel going into this week, I believe I'm unprepared, so let's see if that unpreparedness works in my favour. Sometimes we've seen that in the past with players and it worked out well last week, hopefully it can work out well this week.
"To watch the TV on Monday and see everyone play practice rounds, chipping and putting, and the excitement of Tiger being back in form and all of that - it seemed a bit weird but I'm here now.
"I'm here late, but it's a place I love and I'm really excited to be here."
Poulter had just missed out on a place in the Masters the previous week through his world rankings position and a mix-up during the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.
But he put that frustration behind him as he overcame a bad start in Houston to snatch victory after forcing the play-off by superbly holing a six-yard birdie putt at the final hole.
Poulter, who is now up to 29 in the world rankings, added: "I stayed calm all of Sunday and went about my business, just stayed patient and kept my emotions intact the whole way around until obviously when I holed that putt at the last and it overflowed then.
"But that's what's inside me, when I'm able to put myself in a position to do that and to do some great things, I just love the moment.
"That was one of those moments that I've had at various times in my career and it was enjoyable but I had to bring myself down for the play-off because the adrenaline was pumping. It's just amazing to get that done and be here and to be able to enjoy this week from a different perspective."