Golf Events / Bill Elliott / 30 January 2008 / 1 Comments

Bill Elliott has heard some daft ones in his time, but Englishman's latest outburst has set the bar higher than ever...

The line drawn between admirable ambition and crazed self-delusion is often a fine one in the wacky world of professional games but even by the wobbly standards established already, Ian Poulter's latest submission to be included in the Daft Laddie category is a classic.

It is in a golf magazine that has been unleashed upon an unsuspecting world this week that the boy/man from Milton Keynes - he is now 32 but you wouldn't know it - claims that when, not if, he plays to his potential then he is the only viable challenger to Tiger Woods.

"The trouble is I just don't rate anyone else. Now, don't get me wrong, I really respect everyone who is a professional golfer, but the problem is I know I haven't played to my full potential yet. And, when that happens, it will just be me and Tiger, " he says in Golf World.

Does he mean this? Does he really, really mean this? Or is he having a laugh? Hopefully, it may be the latter but I wouldn't bet on it. I've interviewed Ian a few times and, as we say in this rascally trade, he gives good quote. He is also a rather nice bloke and, instinctively, a kind one. He is also, as it happens, a very decent dad to his two kids. Oh, and did I mention naïve?

But what he always, rather irritatingly, tries very, very hard to convey to everyone is that he has the self-belief of a bear suddenly surrounded by a flock of sheep. Apparently he always has been this way. Lee Scarbrow , who used to coach him, will tell you that he never, ever has encountered anyone with Poulter's inflated sense of self-confidence.

It is this inner strength that has taken Poulter from a teenager who was okay as a golfer to a wealthy, Ferrari-driving pro who has won seven times in Europe and who has made at least half a fist of life on the US Tour. This is a laudable thing but what isn't laudable is shooting your mouth off from a position of sublime weakness.

Poulter is finding this out this week in Dubai where, coincidentally, Tiger is also playing. What, if anything, Woods says to him would be fascinating to hear. Unfortunately, from Ian's point of view, this, if anything, is likely to be along the lines of "And who the hell are you exactly pal?" What is for sure is that the other European pros will take the rip out of Poulter as never before.

This, in turn, may well shred any chance he ever had of enjoying a decent week in the Desert Classic. Or it may inspire him to show us all that he actually does have something to shout about. Either way, it is unnecessary pressure. Ian Poulter may have thought he was giving the best quote of his life when he delivered his considered rant to a grateful magazine journalist but what he was actually doing was setting up the biggest pratfall of modern times.

It will be a pity if this unintelligent slip affects him for a while because Poulter IS a talented golfer who should be able to make this year's Ryder Cup team and who always brings something different to the European scene. I am not going to criticise him for not being dull but I do wish he would engage gear before opening his mouth. Self-confidence in a public arena is one thing but self-abuse in public is something else.

Keep your eye on the desert this week. It's not just the camels that will have the hump...

Comments (1)

1. Peter | 30 January 2008

   I was amazed to hear that Poulter has said this. Has he not heard about what happened when Sabbatini made the wrong comment about Tiger.

   Some people say Poulter is eccentric but I disagree - he is an extrovert. I don't understand why he wants to put extra pressure on himself like this.

   These comments could come back to haunt him when he next goes to the USA as their media may pick up on it and we all know what the americans can be like.

   He is not a player I rate and I never bet on him and this habit will not be changing now.

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