He may not be the most universally popular golfer, particularly outside England, but we have to hand it to Ian Poulter on this one. The English golfer has chosen not to play at the upcoming BMW Championship in Wentworth and, as tends to happen with Poulter, he's gotten quite a bit of stick for it.
An article from Derek Lawrenson in the Daily Mail kicked off the debate and Poulter didn't take too kindly to Lawrenson's argument that Poulter was letting down the European Tour by not playing in the showpiece event. To back up his rationale, Poulter whipped out the stats that show that him turning up at Wentworth, a course he has said he doesn't like, would be pointless.
I've played 13 PGA's at Wentworth and had 1 Top 10. I've had 8 MC. Would Usain Bolt compete in a marathon. I didn't think so.... Enough said
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) April 21, 2015
Simple terms. I've won 19.11 world ranking points from poss 832 over 13 years. & for tied 3rd at Open in 2012 I won 28.50 Points.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) April 21, 2015
That rationale brought with it some criticism and fellow professional Ian Ellis jumped in on the debate.
Shame @IanJamesPoulter isn't @BMWPGA (poor record in event)
Not being funny but it ain't as bad as my record & I can't wait to play😜— Ian Ellis (@necky_fade) April 21, 2015
To which, Poulter summed up his argument rather more succinctly.
Ian I hope you play well mate. It's a great tournament but my stats don't lie. I can't shovel shit uphill forever. https://t.co/jrybS4jrw4
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) April 21, 2015
