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Foolish to write Tiger off - Poulter

Ian Poulter finished second at last year's Players Championship © Getty Images

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Ian Poulter has insisted it would be foolish to write world No. 1 Tiger Woods off after the American missed the cut by eight shots at last week's Quail Hollow Championship.

The current world No. 6 has been drawn to play alongside Woods in the first two rounds of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida and he is convinced his playing partner will soon return to form.

"I think everybody was a little bit shocked at how he did last week," Poulter said. "You can never write the No.1 player in the world off at any point though.

"The discussion four weeks ago was about how poor a season Phil Mickelson had had to that point but you can see what the great players in the world can do very quickly. Mickelson has turned his year around. He found something in his swing out on the range and took it to the Masters. The last 18 holes he played round there show what that has done to his year and I expect Tiger to something very similar. He needs two shots or an hour on the range and he might find his form just like that.

"I've played with Tiger several times before so this will be no different. I'm playing against 155 guys. I can't just look at one. Mentally I will be going out there to shoot as low as I possibly can.

"Do I pay that much attention to my playing partners? No, I really don't. I try not get too engrossed in how they are swinging it or whether they are scoring well. It is always handy when the group you are in are doing well because it can help you build momentum and playing with Tiger can often have that affect."

Poulter, who won his first PGA title earlier in the year at the WGC Accenture Matchplay event, has seen a promising season halted by a knee injury which he suffered during a game of basketball with his son.

"I've had five weeks off since the Masters and I'm feeling fresh. The knee is feeling good and I'm looking forward to getting going. I've been hitting balls really solid over the weekend and I've done some really good work. I'm really happy. I'm still putting an ice pack on my knee to drain the fluids away but it will be fine.

"I come to every tournament looking to win and this week it is no different. I feel in good shape to have another good week here as I try to win out here on the PGA Tour for the second time this year."

Another man eyeing his second PGA title of the year is Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who won last week's Quail Hollow Championship to become the youngest winner on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods back in 1996. McIlroy, who won his first career title at the Dubai Desert Classic in February 2009, is a fan of Sawgrass and is sure he can compete around the famous layout.

"It is great to get the first PGA win in the bag and now I can just knuckle down and try and win as many titles as I can starting here at this brilliant Sawgrass course," McIlroy said. "I've been a pro two and a half years now and I've only won two tournaments so it is time to start winning more - and now I want to win this tournament."

The 21-year-old's success at the Quail Hollow Championship underlined the quality of talent coming through the sport and McIlroy believes golf has a bright future. "The future is in great hands," McIlroy said. "Ryo Ishikawa shot 58 on Sunday and I shot 62 which is a great sign.

"Anthony Kim has won again this year and Camilo Villegas has won again. Rickie Fowler is playing great too. Golf seems to be in good shape at the minute and we have to try to get more wins between us. Tiger is a big reason for all of this. He set the benchmark so high and we are just trying to get to his point. He has inspired so many young players - especially me. "

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