Ian was playing in the HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai which ended on Monday and his driver was stolen.  Apparently he wouldn’t have received a replacement driver until Friday.  This is what Ian Poulter said about this…

“I am really gutted,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “I have been thinking about it for four hours and I have decided to withdraw because my new driver will not arrive on time.

“It is disappointing because I did not come all this way not to play. But with so many world ranking points at stake, if I played badly (by using a different driver) I may have lost ground.”

I have a couple of things to say about this.

First, I can’t believe that Ian Poulter couldn’t have got a driver made up that was very close, if not identical to the driver stolen.  All the top golfers have the specs of their clubs documented.

Second, I also can’t believe Ian Poulter had the attitude that he might have played badly with a different driver.

He may have played better!!!

Last time I checked he wasn’t the best golfer in the world! And as far as I know Ian Poulter is NOT the best driver in the world.  In fact, just looking now on the PGA Tour stats for 2008 he is 187th in total driving!

So this could have been a blessing in disguise for Ian Poulter NOT a negative OR a reasons to pull out of a tournament. And I think you may have found a better golfer by the name of Tiger Woods not taking the same attitude.

Can’t believe it Ian Poulter.