Ian Poulter sputtering in Dubai after Twitter putting tip from Greg Norman

Ian Poulter, nearly DFL after Thursday’s first round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, may need more than a quick putting tutorial over Twitter from Greg Norman to regain the magic with his flat stick.

Indeed, as fellow European Ryder Cup mate Rory McIlroy roared to a 6-under 66 and tied for the lead in his first competitive start since early last month, Poulter struggled to a 75 — three strokes from the bottom — and blamed his poor showing on his woeful efforts on the greens.

Poulter blew a 36-hole cushion last week at the Turkish Open when he posted a 75. He rebounded with a 67 in Sunday’s finale but a botched five-footer for birdie on the 72nd hole left him a one-shot runner-up to Brooks Koepka. Norman’s eagle eye caught the miss and on Monday offered Poulter his virtual services.

Now it’s back to the drawing board for Poulter, who will have to hole a few 10-footers to get back in the conversation at the European Tour’s season-ending event.

McIlroy, meanwhile, showed off his muscle on and off the course (six birdies and no bogeys for the world No. 1) and proved that winning his second Race to Dubai title in three years, despite missing the European Tour’s two “Final Series” tourneys in China, was no fluke.