Poulter Says He's Spent Too Much Time Worrying About His Outfits To Rival Tiger

Therefore Ian undressed (and you thought his attire could not get any worse) for the March edition of Golf World (UK) and look what came out of his mouth:

"The trouble is I don't rate anyone else," said the extrovert Englishman. "Don't get me wrong, I respect everyone who is a professional.

"But the problem is I haven't played to my full potential yet. And when that happens it will just be me and Tiger."

Well, at least he's honest about the competition.

The 32-year-old Poulter, when asked for his predictions on who would win the Masters in April, replied: "Put Tiger down for that one".

For the year's second major at the US Open, he said: "You can put me down for that one".

Scramble me a jet to Vegas now.

Poulter, pictured nude in the magazine with only a golf bag guarding his modesty, admitted he was nowhere near challenging Woods yet.

"Tiger is one in a million," he said. "Actually Tiger is one in 10 million."

That's better.

Thanks to reader Nick for this treat.

Comments

[Matt]

Geoff - you keep posting this kind of filth and I might have to terminate my subscription to your page!

[Mike B.]

Just curious, has Ian ever finished higher then Tiger in a major (excluding the cut Tiger missed)?

[Phil the Author]

And just how is this braggadocio - "But the problem is I haven't played to my full potential yet. And when that happens it will just be me and Tiger." & "For the year's second major at the US Open, he said: "You can put me down for that one"." different from Rory Sabbatini's?

[Smolmania]

Phil, it's not. They're both idiots. Either one could certainly beat Tiger in one of the majors this year, as could any one of 40 or 50 guys -- but only if he doesn't bring his A game.

I'm not sure how "refreshing" these guys are. I think they'd have a better shot with a Bob May kind of sneak up on the big fella approach. But for a guy like Poulter, any press is good press if he wants to become a biggie in selling clothes.

[Iggy]

Poultergheist.

[Tighthead]

The morning radio goons this morning were talking about how disrespectful of Tiger this is. I don't really see it that way. He seems to be disrespecting the 20 or so players between him and Tiger,

[Bob G]

that image is really more than anyone should be forced to look at

[jneu]

Oh, terrific. Once again, somebody actually says something other than the usual bland crap, and everyone jumps down his throat. Poulter ought to think the things he said; every athlete with pride ought to. And if we don't want athletes to say what they think, why ask them questions?

Rory proved, eventually, that he's a jerk. But after being ripped up one side and down the other for months and months, I might have thrown the same kind of tantrum he did. May not speak well for me, but so be it.

So, yeah, let's make Ian Poulter's life miserable for the next six months over these remarks, ok? It'll save us all a lot of time in the future, time we now spend reading interviews with touring pros, or on this site. Punish the people who give you something other than cliches, and all you'll hear is "The course is all right in front of you" and "I just tried to make good swings and not get ahead of myself."

[C. Freeman]

Rory didn't really look like an idiot until his statements were proven wrong. Before that, it seemed like a positive, aggressive attitude, which some would argue is necessary to excel. When/if Poulter falls on his face, he will follow in Rory's footsteps. Until then, I don't think it's that bad. (As an aside, I think his clothes are a little much.)

[Geoff]

Matt,
I know, those pink bags are a bit much!

[Smolmania]

God I hope you're talking about golf bags Geoff.

[Chuck]

Don't know about you, but just one look at that picture makes me think; "Here's a guy who is clearly now all business when it comes to beating Tiger. He's going to dig it out of the dirt, Hogan style. Enough distractions. Just golf, from now on."

How about you?

Now where did I put me' trousers?

[JackM]

"Oh, terrific. Once again, somebody actually says something other than the usual bland crap, and everyone jumps down his throat." Ageed Jneu.

We probably shouldn't expect to have it both ways. Although, I think we have about reached the limit with JD.

I admire Poulter for saying this but doubt his resolve to succeed.

I think a major problem with the potential challengers to Tiger (Like Poulter) is that they spend a few years in the Top 50 and then the Top 15. At that point, they should step it up big time and work like hell to get over the hump. But they come home to their 15,000 sqft Lake Nona house with a few ferraris. There's also a jet, a house and boat in the bahamas and beautiful wife and young children.

It must be tough to work that hard when life is already sweet and you have to squint really hard just to see Tiger's tail lights.

Ask Ernie.

Veeg put in the work and was Number 1 for a week.

[MacDuff]

Friend of mine was Poulty's agent for a time; he said Poulter's brother was the more skillful golfer of the two but that PopArt Pants had more drive to win.

[Eric Stratton]

I think Poulter was just joking around, nothing more - nothing less...

...I doubt Tiger will take any notice whatsoever to Ian's comments, unlike the Rory comments which clearly Tiger took notice of.

ES

[Geoff]

Smols,
Thanks for the hearty laugh. Yes, the golf bag!

[Seitz]

I don't know Poulter's personality, but is it possible either or both of those statements were tongue in cheek? They certainly came off that way to me. Granted, that's hard to glean from something written, but very guys would make claims like that in a serious manner. Even really arrogant guys.

[Four-putt]

Actually, in this country alone Tiger is 1 in 300 million.

4p

[OWGR Fan]

JackM.....

VJ was world number 1 for 32 weeks over a time span of late 2004 and early 2005 when he again took the #1 spot off Tiger for a few weeks before Tiger put his current death grip on the #1 spot.

Otherwise your post was spot on.

[Back From Elba]

I suspect Poulter was being cheeky...but as with all cheek, there is the core of sincerity. Tiger's the greatest by far, but he's still just a man, and I don't see any other pro shouldn't allow himself to think as Poulter spoke. If not, (as the great Dan Jenkins might say) go be an assistant pro at Goat Hills.