Ian Poulter disappointed on early start for Match Play Championship
Ian Poulter has expressed his disappointment on his tee timings for the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and believes he should have been sent in the late hours to get maximum fan following.
The field has been decided and the top 64 players of the world are geared up for the event which gets underway next Wednesday.
According to standard practice, the defending champion and the top ranked players tee off in the early timings. This can serve as an advantage during inclement weather and short light hours, but Poulter has a different view.
He complained that he should have been scheduled in comfortable hours as he was the major star attraction.
He stated, “I wasn't expecting to be out first. I mean, 7:25, defending champion, how many people are going to be through the gates at 7 in the morning?”
According to the schedule, nearly 15,000 spectators will show up on the first day to support their stars and by 11.25 a.m., all the seats will be occupied at the first tee.
Poulter wants to tee off in front of all the fans like Tiger Woods and Martin Kaymer, while enjoying the warmth of the sun.
Apart from the timings, Poulter is eyeing the top most rank of the world during the four-day session. The Accenture Match Play Championship is carrying 500 FedEx points which means, the winner of the $1.4 million prize money will automatically jump folds
in rankings. With Martin Kaymer standing 8.12 points behind the world number one Lee Westwood, chances of a new crowning ceremony are high.
Poulter explained his intentions regarding the rankings and said, “It has certainly made it a lot more interesting than knowing there's a nine-point gap between No. 1 and No. 2. It makes it a lot more interesting for everybody: for the media; for the spectators;
and for us to look at and think that the No. 1 spot is achievable.”
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