Father-son competitors facing off directly at a major championship level remains virtually unheard of in modern golf, and for good reason. Only two father-son pairs have both won The Open Championship in history – Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, plus Willie Park Sr. and Willie Park Jr. Meanwhile, just 10 father-son duos have both won on the PGA Tour, with only 3 achieving the same feat on the European Tour. These numbers tell the whole story. Yet here we are, watching an unprecedented family drama unfold at The Open Championship Final Qualifying.

Ian Poulter Receives Justin Rose’s Support as Family Challenge Unfolds

Justin Rose stepped into the spotlight with his three-word message of support. “Go on lads!!!” he posted on Instagram, complete with celebration emojis. Additionally, tennis star Andy Murray chimed in with a simple heart emoji. Both reactions came after The Open announced the Poulter family’s unique qualifying situation. The golf community rallied around this extraordinary story.

Both Ian and Luke Poulter will compete at Royal Cinque Ports on Tuesday, fighting for just five precious spots at Royal Portrush out of 72 players. Luke tees off from the 1st at 7:15 am while Ian starts from the 10th at 7:35 am. This marks a pivotal moment for the Poulter family legacy.

Ian Poulter has 20 Open appearances under his belt, but none since switching to LIV Golf in 2022. Now 49, he’s rushing from LIV Golf Dallas to Kent, hoping magic still exists in his game. LIV Golf’s exclusion from OWGR points makes qualifying even more critical for Ian. Without world ranking exemptions, Final Qualifying represents his only path back to major championship golf.

This scenario has been building for years. Luke Poulter first caddied for his father at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship at the age of 16. Then came his commitment to the University of Florida and his gradual rise through the amateur ranks. However, this differs dramatically from heartwarming PNC Championship moments where Tiger and Charlie Woods compete together in an exhibition format. Tuesday’s qualifying is a cutthroat professional competition where only five survive.

The broader golf community recognizes the unique emotional complexity of this story. Ian Poulter previously expressed hopes that Luke could “take over the reins from me as a Majesticks GC player” in LIV Golf’s future. However, first comes Tuesday’s qualifying challenge.

Final Qualifying earns its nickname as “golf’s longest day” for brutal reasons—thirty-six holes of pressure-packed golf where careers hang in the balance. Dreams shatter and legacies crumble in a single round.

Ian Poulter vs Luke Poulter: Performance Trends and Statistics

The performances leading to this moment tell contrasting stories. Ian Poulter recorded an excellent fifth-place finish at LIV Golf Chicago in 2024’s final event. However, he struggled at LIV Golf Virginia in June 2025, finishing T47 at +4. Consequently, his form heading into qualifying remains inconsistent.

Luke Poulter’s trajectory, conversely, shows remarkable upward momentum. The 20-year-old won his first collegiate title at the 2025 Schenkel Invitational, shooting 8-under for a wire-to-wire victory. Subsequently, he earned SEC Golfer of the Week honors during his impressive collegiate campaign.

The young Poulter’s resilience particularly impresses observers. After suffering a stress fracture in his L4 vertebra that sidelined him for seven months, he returned stronger than ever. Moreover, he narrowly missed qualifying for the 2025 US Open, losing in a playoff after shooting a brilliant 65 in the final round.

This father-son dynamic creates compelling statistical comparisons. Ian Poulter’s career highlights include two World Golf Championship wins and five Ryder Cup victories for Europe, with a career-high ranking of No. 5 in the world. Meanwhile, Luke Poulter has won two collegiate events in 2025, defeating competitors including US Amateur finalist Noah Kent. Ian Poulter’s pride in Luke’s comeback after the back injury remains evident, stating, “After spending seven months out of golf in 2024 with a fractured back, he has rebuilt himself and come back even stronger.”

Rose’s simple message captures what many feel about this situation. Professional golf rarely produces such emotionally charged family competitions. Nothing says family bonding quite like potentially ending your dad’s championship hopes. Nevertheless, both Poulters approach Tuesday with determination and mutual respect. The brutal reality of final qualifying means even family ties won’t matter when competition begins.