The trouble is I don’t rate anyone else. 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.” Ian Poulter talking to Golf World magazine. Comments certain to incur the wrath of his fellow professionals.
It would be easy to ridicule Poulter for his seeming arrogance. After all, what has he won? But there may be some purpose in his remarks.
He is saying that he backs himself to be the number two golfer in the world. The trouble for Poulter is that he has made his remarks public. Yet, it is refreshing to hear a golfer speak his mind. To tell us what he really thinks. Whether we like it or not.
Having made his thoughts so open, Poulter now has to back them up. He has to start to be in regular contention on the last day of Majors. Take himself out of his personal comfort zone. Forget about further clothing ranges and other peripheral issues. But be ruthlessly dedicated to his professional goals.
Ian Poulter may have triggered some resentment amongst his fellow professionals with his comments. But if they serve to propel him out of the professional pack into the worlds top five, then they would have been well chosen. He has put himself on the line. Made himself a target. Now he has to deliver. It’s the kind of edge a top professional needs. And should thrive on. For there is now no hiding place amongst the pack. It’s time to discover just how good Ian Poulter really is.