text: A week in the Bahamas, lapping up the sun and the odd glass of champagne, gazing across the yachts bobbing in the marina. It sounds idyllic, but perhaps is not the way you might imagine Ian Poulter prepares to win the Masters. But Poulter promises this break, just weeks before the first major of the year, means he will be fit and fresh for his latest assault on Augusta National. The downtime ensured plenty of opportunity to dream about feeling that green jacket draped over his shoulders, and what meal he would choose for the champion’s dinner the following year. Not that he needs to think too hard about that last bit. ‘I hate tempting fate,’ he says while reclining on a lounger in his luxury holiday apartment in New Providence. ‘But I know exactly what my jacket measurements are and I know exactly what [dinner] I would choose. But I’m not telling you!’ Ian Poulter  lines up his putt for birdie on the 18th hole during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational . These are certainly not the words of a man who feels he is taking things too easy in the build-up to the most eagerly-anticipated week of the golfing year. ‘I’ve tried every type of formula,’ he says. ‘I’ve had two weeks off before; I’ve played [tournaments] during the run-in; I’ve tried going to Augusta several days before Masters week to get some extra prep in. I’ve tried everything but nothing’s worked.’ So this year Poulter, who has two top 10 finish at the Masters in his 10 attempts, has simply said to hell with it, let’s have some fun. Family comes first, practice comes second. Sharing his holiday with the world on Twitter comes third, of course. Poulter celebrates  during the fourball match on the second day of the Ryder Cup golf tournament . By now, however, the serious work has begun. Some of his time in the Bahamas was spent on the range, before the workload was ramped up last week. The Ryder Cup defines Poulter, gets his juices flowing, his eyes and veins popping like nothing else. But he lives for the annual trip down Magnolia Lane. ‘The electricity, the tension, the buzz’ of Masters week give him goosebumps. He admits to a ‘love affair’ with the place and its storied history. Only the Open Championship can compete with the Masters for his affections and ambitions. But at the age of 39, and with Rory McIlroy leading a new breed of power hitters ready to clean up the majors, Poulter knows he will not get too many more chances of claiming either prize. Poulter plays into the 13th green during the final round of the 2014 Turkish Airlines Open . So, if push came to shove, would he take a green jacket over a claret jug? ‘That’s a very unfair question,’ he says. ‘I wouldn’t take it. Because I think I’ll win a claret jug, and I think I’ll win a green jacket. And I’m quite happy to put my neck on the line.’ In a flash, there is the mentality that has vanquished many an American dream. Despite Poulter’s Ryder Cup heroics, he has still never won a strokeplay event on US soil. He came close to victory in the Honda Classic last month but a final-round collapse featuring five balls in the water extended that duck. Yet the lion-hearted Englishman believes he will still claim the game’s two biggest prizes. Poulter admits the prospect of retiring without a major victory would leave him unfulfilled. But he has already written his rags-to-riches story, from assistant club professional in Hertfordshire to super-rich superstar in Florida. He knows he will be able to reflect one day on an extraordinary career. English golfer Poulter admits retiring without a major victory would leave him unfulfilled . ‘Yeah I’d feel incomplete [without a major] but I’d feel very content living the rest of my life knowing that I gave it a good go. It wouldn’t stop me sleeping at night, I can certainly say that much. I want to win, I’m passionate about winning, that’s what keeps me going. But if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I’m working very hard and if guys beat me fair and square then that’s fine.’ Two top-10 finishes at Augusta in the last five years suggests there will not be too many who can be confident of beating Poulter next week. He admits, however, that the ‘truly remarkable’ McIlroy could be one of them. Going for the career grand slam at the age of 25 is simply ‘incredible’, but even if this is not the week that feat is achieved, Poulter insists the Northern Irishman is already the equal of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods. Poulter smiles during practice ahead of the 2014 Ryder Cup on the PGA Centenary course at  Gleneagles . ‘We knew years ago when he burst on to the scene this kid was going to be good,’ he says. ‘We didn’t know how good. It happens every decade or couple of decades that someone comes along, gets inspired, works incredibly hard, is very dedicated, and proves that anything is possible. ‘Rory is one of those kids who has the natural talent, work ethic and is impressive to watch. When he’s on form he’s as good as anybody has ever been.’ But for all the effusive praise, Poulter rates Bubba Watson as the man to beat this year, not McIlroy. Rory McIlroy  hits his tee shot on the third hole during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational . The defending champion will be chasing his third Masters win in four years and Poulter reckons the huge-hitting left-hander’s game is so well suited to Augusta, even the world No 1 might not be able to match him. Six left-handed winners in the last 12 years — Mike Weir, Phil Mickelson (three times) and Watson (twice) — is clearly playing on Poulter’s mind. He would not be alone among the players in wondering how they can compete on what Poulter admits is a ‘bomber’s course’. Still, is Bubba really the man to beat, rather than Rory? ‘For sure. Absolutely. He hits it long, he hits a nice cut off every tee. When you hit it 340 yards with a slight cut, I’d like to play that golf course. Yeah, I think he’s the favourite.’ So how can Poulter compete with Watson, McIlroy and the other monster hitters? ‘That course lends itself to a cut, or if you’re a right-hander a draw. We all know that before we get there. It’s a case of practising certain shots. There are some key holes round there which a draw will favour, or a cut of you’re a left-hander. We all know it, we just have to work on it. ‘I have to stick to my game plan. I can’t hit it 340, I’ll try to get it out there at 300 and provided my short game and wedge game is very, very good and my putting is good then I’ll definitely have a chance come Sunday.’ If that plan comes to fruition, there’s a fair chance Poulter might spend more than just one week living it up in the Bahamas. He’d richly deserve it, too. And he wouldn’t even have to spend time worrying about what he’d choose for the champions dinner in 2016. Ian Poulter is Captain of the Ballantine's Golf Club, the first online, global golf club of its kind. Join for free at ballantinesgolfclub.com for exclusive content and rewards .
target: Ian Poulter is on holiday just weeks before the first major of the year .
  But Poulter insists he will return fit and ready for assault on Augusta .
  The golfer has secured two top-10 finishes at Augusta in the last five years .
  He admits retiring without a major victory would leave him unfulfilled .