U.S. SENIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 3, 2026

Ian Poulter

Scioto Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Battle today obviously. How was that back nine for you?

IAN POULTER: It's an easier nine to play coming in. Obviously 8's a tricky hole. It's not good yardage. I think 3-wood I can almost get it in the hazard down there. So it just feels you're going to hit 5-wood off the tee and leave yourself a long way back, and that's what you just need to do.

I actually played all right. Got off to a nice quick start. Maybe a couple of back-to-back bogeys. Birdie on 18 was nice. Wish I'd have taken a couple more chances on that front side, made it hard work for myself.

Q. Got it into the red going into the weekend. How do you feel about your positioning?

IAN POULTER: Feel good. First week with old mates, which is always pretty special. I had a great couple of days with Miguel played lovely and obviously Darren. We've played so much golf with each other for so many years. It's great to be able to play with the guys and see so many familiar faces.

Q. Talk about that, just being out here at the champions level.

IAN POULTER: It's special, like just reminiscing with the guys today on the course. We've played Ryder Cups together. We've done an awful lot of rounds together through the years. So to -- I haven't seen the guys for a number of years, and they've had a great kind of 50-plus kind of stretch. Miguel 62 and played incredible out here. He's won so many tournaments. Darren 57 and coming off a win a couple of weeks ago.

It's great to play with the guys. It's great to reminisce. It's funny, I don't feel 50, but I am 50. So it's one of those. It's been a great couple of days, and hopefully I can have a run this weekend.

Q. Awesome. And competition level feel --

IAN POULTER: Listen, these guys -- I for one second didn't think I was coming here to an easy competition. There's a reason why these guys have done what they've done in the game, and they play week in and week out out here, and that's because they were the very best players in the world for a long time. You don't lose that when you turn 50.

These guys have transitioned, and they're enjoying obviously playing Champions Tour golf and obviously playing majors like these and having an enjoyable time, and so you should once you turn 50.