STYLE GURU?:STYLE guru Ian Poulter – keeping up with recent tradition – has designed a special edition putter cover for the 140th British Open, using the Union Jack as his inspiration.

Of course, the Englishman – runner-up to Pádraig Harrington at Royal Birkdale in 2008 – would love nothing better than to finally get his hands on the Claret Jug and is hoping that some home support will do the trick. He has rented a house for the week and brought a gathering of family and friends to get an at-home feel.

“There are nine or 10 people in the house with other family nearby. It’s nice and relaxing,” said Poulter, who has gone off the boil since his Volvo Matchplay win in May. Poulter missed the cut in his last outing – at the US Open – and has spent his time since attending Wimbledon and the British Formula One Grand Prix.