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IAN Poulter is hoping to use the cut and thrust of matchplay to his advantage so he can watch his beloved Arsenal compete in the Champions League.

The 32-year-old Englishman faces Denmark's Soren Hansen in the first round at the World Golf Championships in Tucson, Arizona, today and an early teeoff time should enable him to settle down and watch the Gunners against European champions AC Milan.

He will not spend any time concerning himself with his opponent's strengths and weaknesses.

I worry about my game and I feel good right now,'' said Poulter, who spent last week at his club manufacturer's testing facility in southern California.

Poulter, who ended last year on a high note by winning the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan, made headlines at the start of 2008, but it was not his clubs doing the talking.

Instead, it was his provocative comments in a magazine article in which he was quoted saying if he played his best, it was between him and Tiger Woods as to who was the best in the world.

Which made it quite interesting when, shortly after finishing this interview, Woods entered the locker room and jokingly asked number two'' how he was going.

Poulter seems to be going just great, especially after his week in California.

It's good to see what's happening with your swing, your club and that ball,'' he said.

It's very interesting to see how the ball is moving, to make sure your driver is right, the spin rate is right. It's easy to tune up your game in that environment.

When you've got all the data stacked up for you, it makes it easy. I found out some very interesting things, stuff to work on.

I'm doing a slightly different manoeuvre with the driver to try to hit it a little further, just a very slight swing change.'' Poulter, who has never backed down in his life, loves matchplay.

You're under pressure right from the start. You have to win.

It just makes you concentrate harder, which is great.'' Poulter is part of an eight-man British and 19-strong European contingent in the 64-man field.

England's Luke Donald and Nick Dougherty face each other while Paul Casey faces Swede Robert Karlsson. Woods meets fellow American JB Holmes.

11:00am Wednesday 20th February 2008

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