Ian Poulter came to Columbus, Ohio, hoping to win his first senior major title at the age of 50. He finished fourth, but his strong performance kept him in contention throughout the tournament.

Poulter finished fourth at the 2026 U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club. He shot a 3-under 67 in the final round and finished the tournament at 5-under 275.

Padraig Harrington won the tournament by four shots. He shot a 4-under 66 in the final round to finish at 12-under 268 and win his third U.S. Senior Open title. It was Poulter's first time playing in the championship.

Poulter had been direct about his ambitions heading into the week.

"To hold a trophy would be pretty meaningful," he told Golf Channel's Brentley Romine ahead of the event.

He had spent the early part of the year grinding through a torn meniscus in his left knee. It was confirmed by MRI after he felt a pop while walking up the clubhouse steps during the LIV Golf Virginia event.

Poulter said his game had improved since suffering the injury. He explained that he has been playing some of his best golf this season, adding that, despite turning 50, he believes he is performing better than he has in recent years.

His week at Scioto reflected that form. Opening rounds of 70-69-69 kept him in contention through 54 holes. His final-round 67 included five birdies and two bogeys, matching Retief Goosen for the second-best score of the day.

At his best in regular majors, Poulter secured a runner-up finish at The Open Championship in 2008 and top-10s at the Masters and PGA Championship. His best U.S. Open finish across 16 starts was a T-12. The Senior version gave him his cleanest result at the national championship.

Fellow debutant George McNeill finished third at 6-under. Poulter, one shot further back, settled for fourth.

Ian Poulter arrived at Scioto on the back of his best stretch of senior golf yet

The momentum behind the debut was real. Before the LIV Virginia in early May, Poulter had just one top-25 finish in six LIV Golf events this season. 

The knee injury struck him while walking up to the clubhouse. He stepped an hour before his first-round tee time, and something appeared to reset.

"Whether that's made me swing it a little smoother, I don't really know," Poulter said. "The ball speed hasn't changed, and I've kind of managed that situation with that knee. It's fine to play on. I can walk comfortably."

A T-18 at LIV Virginia. T-16 at LIV Korea and a T-27 at LIV Andalucia followed, his most consistent run of the season. He arrived at Scioto calling the atmosphere "a bit surreal" and describing the week as catching up with players he'd watched growing up.

Harrington, who won the event in 2022 and 2025, now joins Miller Barber as the only three-time U.S. Senior Open champions. Poulter's first senior major is behind him. The next one is ahead.

Do you think Ian Poulter can win a senior major before his window closes? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore