Poults: I’ve got fans’ backing

Ian Poulter is adamant that he’s received a remarkable reception on his farewell Open at St Andrews.

The Englishman has been blown away by the backing of Old Course crowds throughout the 150th Championship.

Poulter was heckled by a youngster on the first tee on Thursday for his LIV Golf defection.

But he said: “This is my fifth Open here and it will be my last Open at St Andrews. I’ve got my whole family here watching. So I’m here to enjoy myself.

“The reception has been remarkable, to be honest. I’ve enjoyed every part of it.

“Every hole has been great. Because of the way the course shapes itself, they’re kind of one side or the other side the whole way out and the whole way back.

“You only allow them to come in around the loop, where they can get in and have some food and in the stand, but the support ’s been amazing. I’m not sure of the numbers but I would think it’s almost record numbers.

“It’s amazing how we still talk about one person that’s 100 yards down the first where there’s conveniently a microphone positioned halfway down the stand.

“Some young guy says ‘ boo’ and it comes over on the TV and all assume I’m being booed on the course. That’s not a true ref lection of exactly what happened.

“We’re getting quite a lot of support out on the course. Saying that would actually be a fair reflection of what’s happening rather than ‘let’s lead down the path of players being booed who have joined the LIV Tour’.

“In the end I’m going to walk away from this week unfortunately disappointed with the result but I’ ll enjoy Sunday. My kids will be here to watch and it will be wonderful.”