Redshirt freshman Luke Poulter — son of elite professional golfer Ian Poulter — will get his first taste of collegiate action on Friday.
The UF men’s golf team will open their season on the road at the Fighting Illini Invitational at Olympia Fields Country Club in Chicago, Illinois.
Friday will be Luke Poulter’s opportunity to embark on his own journey as he tees off for the first time as a Florida Gator.
After not making an appearance in a tournament during his freshman year, Poulter will have a lot to prove in 2023. He will have the opportunity to do so early in the season as he qualified for the No. 5 spot on the lineup card for UF’s first tournament.
The redshirt freshman will look to go low in the opening round at Olympia Fields and have a breakout performance in his first NCAA outing.
Luke’s father Ian Poulter has built up quite the resume for himself over his professional career. One of his most notable professional wins were at the 2010 World Golf Championships - HSBC Champion.
Also, he added a victory at the Houston Open to his resume in 2018. Poulter has had a long impressive career as he was selected to the European Ryder Cup team six times. . He’s best known for his singles play where he sports an undefeated 6-0-1 record. Poulter is also 10th all-time in Ryder Cup points for Team Europe.
Although Poulter grew up as a son of the current LIV golfer, he has made quite the name for himself as an amateur.
Poulter was named the 2021 Orlando Sentinel Player of The Year coming out of high school. In 2022, he T14 at the SBIA while shooting a low round of 64. In the same year, he went on to win the Willow Cup in Alabama, providing momentum for his upcoming collegiate career.
Poulter has played in high-pressure moments time and time again, and Friday will be no different at the Fighting Illini Invitational. As he looks to follow his father's footsteps as an elite golfer on the national scene, Florida will hope he can do the same.
Luke will be joined by highly skilled teammates up and down the lineup on Friday. In the No. 1 slot, sophomore Parker Bell will lead the way for Florida fresh off a semi-final appearance in the 2023 U.S. amateur.
Junior Ian Gilligan will follow him as he is slated at No. 2 in the lineup. Then, junior Matthew Cress and freshman Jack Turner round out the lineup before Poulter tees off at No. 5.
Florida will compete in the Fighting Illini Invitational Sept. 15-17. The Gators will head to the SEC Fall Preview/Match Play Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, Sept. 25-27.
Contact Max at mtucker@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @MaxTuckerUF25.
Max Tucker is a senior transfer student at UF. After obtaining his A.A. in Journalism from Santa Fe College in 2023, he chose to further his education at Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Max is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a specialization in sports and media. He enjoys golfing and going to the beach with his friends in his free time.
