Close Calls
U.S. Open 2025: How Ian Poulter came agonizingly close to caddying at Oakmont this week
Chung Sung-Jun
Ian Poulter came agonizingly close to making his U.S. Open debut this week—as a caddie, that is.
The longtime European Ryder Cup star has played in the U.S. Open 16 times, the last of which came in 2021 before he joined LIV Golf. But he told talkSPORT that he would have looped for his son, Luke, had he qualified for the tournament.
"Unfortunately he didn’t make it, but I was actually going to caddie for him in the US Open," revealed Poulter, who didn't qualify for the tournament the last time it was held at Oakmont in 2016. "It would have been wonderful. Truly would have been amazing."
Luke, a sophomore at the University of Florida, shot 10 under in West Palm Beach final qualifying earlier this month. However, he lost in a two-for one playoff to Austen Truslow, and didn't get into the field at Oakmont as an alternate.
"So hopefully he can get in a Major in the next few years and my legs are still strong enough to carry a bag for 18 holes for him," Poulter added.
Even better if it's at a venue where Poulter has experience playing.