Ian Poulter's son Luke agonisingly defeated in sudden-death playoff for U.S. Open place

Ian Poulter's son Luke Poulter was agonisingly defeated in a playoff at a U.S. Open Final Qualifying event on Tuesday. 

Luke, 21, was forced to return to Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday morning after play was suspended due to inclement weather on Monday.

The English amateur was 4-under par thru three holes in the second round and at 7-under par inside the automatic top four spots when he resumed his round.

He added further birdies at 6, 10 and 16 en route to fire a flawless 7-under 65 and 10-under par total.

That saw him join one-handed chipper Austen Truslow in a two-man playoff for the fourth and final qualifying spot. 

But it was Austen, who carded rounds of 68 and 66, that went on to defeat Luke in extra holes. 

All is not completely yet lost for Luke since he will now be down as a first alternate for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont from 12-15 June.

So Luke could still yet make his first major appearance, albeit it's a long short. 

Nevertheless, it was a valiant effort from Luke and one he can take a lot of credit from moving forwards with his career. 

Luke even finished two shots ahead of 2023 European Ryder Cup player Nicolai Hojgaard in the 36-hole qualifying event. 

The Emerald Dunes G.C. event marked one of 10 Final Qualifiers staged over 36 holes in U.S. and Canada on Monday and Tuesday.

Justin Hicks, Philip Barbaree Jr and Frankie Harris (a) also made it to the 2025 U.S. Open via the Emerald Dunes qualifier. 

Luke's father and European Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter took to Instagram to express great pride in his son's latest performance. 

"Luke lost on the second extra playoff hole to a birdie," Poulter wrote on his Instagram Story.

"I can’t believe how impressive today’s 65 was to get him in that position.

"We keep using this incredible experience and we keep getting better. [Luke has earned] an alternate spot but not sure what number it will be."

VIEW: U.S  OPEN FINAL QUALIFYING RESULTS

Poulter's best career result at the U.S. Open was a T12 at Winged Foot in 2006. 

To those that know Luke well, his latest efforts should not come as much of a surprise given he has enjoyed a fast start to his season.

The Florida Gator recently won his first title at the Schenkel Invitational at Georgia’s Forest Heights Country Club.

Luke finished one shot clear in the 54-hole event on 8-under par. 

Luke's steady rise through the collegiate ranks this season came off the back of a tough 2024 campaign where he injured his back.

The Englishman's tie for fourth in the NCAA Bremerton (Wash.) Regional marked one of five top-10s as a sophomore this season. 

Luke's brilliant effort at U.S. Open Final Qualifying comes a week after Tiger Woods' son Charlie Woods, 16, won his first AJGA title at the Team TaylorMade Invitational.