Frustration for Poulter as he plays down boos
IAN POULTER was unsure what to be more fed up about — yesterday’s dropped shots around the loop or misconceptions about how he has been received this week.
He insisted that the Open crowd have been perfectly supportive of him, despite his allegiance to the LIV tour.
Certainly there was no repeat of Thursday, when a few boos rang out as he was introduced on the first tee. Even that was overstating it, according to the Ryder Cup star.
‘It’s amazing how we still talk about one person 100 yards down the first, where there’s conveniently a microphone positioned and some young guy says boo, and it comes over on the TV,’ he said.
‘And you all assume I’m being booed on the course. We’re getting quite a lot of support out there. That would be a fair reflection of actually what’s happening, rather than this continual press of let’s go down the path of players being booed who have joined the LIV tour. The reception I’ve had has been remarkable, to be honest.
‘I’ve enjoyed every part of it. It has been great not to read any rubbish this week, which has been unusual for me.’
According to on-course marshals, the one player who has taken any measure of stick was Phil Mickelson, now departed after missing the cut. There have, however, been a few jeers for others.
Walking down the sixth yesterday a group of three young men briefly chanted ‘L-I-V’ at Lee Westwood, although this was very much the exception rather than the rule from a crowd hardly known for hostility.
Both Poulter and Westwood, who have played 46 Opens between them, were unable to mount sustained challenges after starting from three under and five under respectively.
It is likely that neither will be back at the home of golf for this event again regardless of any LIV considerations, and Poulter, who shot a 70, was determined that the whole toxic issue would not ruin the experience. ‘This is my fifth Open at St Andrews, it will be my last Open here,’ said Poulter. ‘I’ve got my whole family watching so I’m here to enjoy myself.’