golfrewind.com

Only I can challenge Tiger's supremacy, says Poulter
By Tony Jimenez

DUBAI, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The outspoken Ian Poulter caused a stir on the eve of the Dubai Desert Classic by saying he was the only player capable of challenging the supremacy of world number one Tiger Woods.

"The trouble is I don't rate anyone else," the 32-year-old Briton was quoted as saying in the March edition of Golf World magazine.

"Don't get me wrong, I really respect every professional golfer, but I know I haven't played to my full potential and when that happens, it will be just me and Tiger." Hahahahahahahahaha....

Poulter is ranked 22nd in the world and has seven European Tour wins to his credit but failed to qualify for the 12-man team that beat United States in the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club in Ireland.

The Englishman, asked by the magazine to predict the winner of the first major of the season at the U.S. Masters in April, replied: "Put Tiger down for that one".

For the year's second major at the U.S. Open, he said: "You can put me down for that one". REALLY???

Poulter, pictured nude in the magazine with only a carefully-placed golf bag guarding his modesty, heaped praise on Woods who makes a rare foray to the European Tour for this week's Dubai event.

"Tiger is one in a million," he said. "Actually Tiger is one in 10 million.

"He is extraordinary. If you look at the rankings he is almost two and a half times better than the guy in second place (Phil Mickelson)."

Poulter, a member of Europe's victorious 2004 Ryder Cup team at Oakland Hills, is known for his colourful dress sense and his strident opinions.

"I do speak my mind," he told the magazine. "I am pretty honest with what I say." (Editing by Alison Wildey)

blah, blah, blah, blah.

An open comment to Rory Sabatini, Jason Day, Ian Poulter, and Joe Schmuck (sure to open his mouth next week): until you guys actually, I don't know, beat Tiger just once, maybe you should keep this inner motivation to yourself.

I mean, sure, it is great and if you are on the Tour and have any kind of competitive spirit you need to believe that you can or will be able to beat Tiger very, very soon. But, at this exact moment, there is very little evidence anyone else is even in the same solar system as Tiger right now. So, don't go public with it. Keep it to yourself.

Are we going to have to put up with these non-news items for the next 10 years? 15 years? 20 years?

Dateline -- Fairbanks, Alaksa -- (March 3rd, 2042). On the eve of the McDonald's-MicroGoogUTube-PODS Championship presented by Rolex and Axe Body Spray, Rory Sabatini the Third had this to say "I really think Tiger is more vulnerable that ever, now. I just learned that that old 1 iron he's been using as a cane is non-conforming, so I think that'll eliminate the 5 stroke advantage he's had on the field for the last 30 years. That, and because Tiger is now 65 years old, with today's equipment he can only hit 580 yard drives." Rory spoke from the clubhouse of newly constructed 16,273 yard Frontier Golf Course (a Bubba Watson design), where thanks to global warming, you can enjoy golf in the 60's year round.

Obviously, Tiger will be beatable before he turns 65, but until he actually gets beats a few times, I wish that the press wouldn't even pay attention to this crud. It's been a slow news year.

you forgot to add Stephen Ames to the list...

All I can take from this is Poulter MUST be joking, there's no way he can seriously believe himself. On the other hand, someone who makes himself up to look like Rod Stewart might believe anything.

Poulter is now making a fool of himself for what he says as well as what he wears.

That may be, but at least there are a couple of players who don't run and hide when Tiger shows up. Yes, "walk the talk", and we'll see what happens. At least it spices things up a bit.

Personally, I think TW will win all four majors this year, and may even threaten BN's win streak.

I don't really know how much this means. But, have you noticed that the one guy who maybe actually could get away with a little trash talk/bravado, Zach Johnson, doesn't say much if anything? Zach actually successfully won a major with Tiger breathing down his neck, and might actually have some ground to stand on to say these things.

If anything, his silence of trash talk and braggadocio speaks volumes to the character of Zach. Give me Zach over these other chumps any day.

I think these "Clowns" say these things simply to get some "Ink". Negative press is better than No press if you're insecure.

Why does he have to announce it? Why not just do it?

He's trying to convince himself that it is possible, but we all know it's not. If one of the top five in the world said that, I would say they have a right to. But Poulter? Just another clown after all.

Well said.

I can't wait until the first Woods-Poulter pairing.

Who has?

That's a great point, straightshooter. I bet if you ask Tiger, he'll say almost exactly the same thing. Tiger's driving is still at least somewhat erratic -- just think if he gets that all sorted out. He won't win by 8 strokes, he'll win by 18 or 28.

The only way this is going to happen is on a Thursday or Friday. I'd bet a dollar to a donut that if Poulter was paired with Woods on any given Sunday he would wet himself.
Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? Ya baby, Rod Stewart vs. Tiger Woods, the ultimate grudge-match.

Hey guys! new to forum... Ian Poulter got me laughing and I just had to post...

Has IAN actually won a major??? Sabatini at least makes some runs into the top 10 but I don't see Ian's name anywhere near the top - 20 that is - does he even make the cuts for Saturday...?

The only one paying him is probably the fashion industry for his obnoxious and flamboyant attire...

Internationally he's a fashion statement and maybe even a halfway decent golfer against nobody's but please Ian stop talking garbage you might drown in it..

TW,

I doubt tiger would even notice him,unless he was in one of his more colorful outfits