AUGUSTA — Ian Poulter shouldn’t be expecting warm and fuzzy Christmas cards from Tiger Woods any time soon.
On Monday Poulter, responding to a question from a British reporter, said he didn’t think Woods would have much of a chance to win his fifth Masters title this week.
“I don’t think he’ll finish in the top five,” Poulter said. “The shots he was hitting at Doral (where Woods finished 10th) were very inconsistent. You can’t afford to hit shots like that on this golf course (Augusta National) and get away with it. I don’t think you want to rely on your short game that much around this place.
“You can never rule him out “he has such an incredible record on this golf course ... But I don’t see it this week.”
When Poulter’s comments were relayed to Woods through another British reporter, Woods answered with undisguised sarcasm.
“Well, Poulter is always right, isn’t he?” he said. “My whole idea is to win the golf tournament. I’ve prepared with a view to peaking four times a year and that hasn’t changed.”
- Ken Fidlin
