Padraig Harrington undergoing same criticism Ian Poulter faced
Ian Poulter shows sympathy for fellow team mate Padraig Harrington who is facing a lot of criticism after being picked for Ryder Cup team. The Ryder Cup this year is set to take place at Celtic Manor in Wales from October first till the third. Captain Colin
Montgomerie announced his wild card picks on August 29th 2010 and has sparked controversy since then. Even though Monty is used to controversy by now, this news came as a big shock to Paul Casey who wasn’t selected for the Ryder Cup.
Quoting that experience as 'horribe', Ian Poulter received so much criticism himself in the last Ryder cup that he said he has ‘every sympathy’ for Harrington this year. He says that subsequent to him being selected for the cup, he was mentally tortured
every day.
“I love reading the newspapers and stuff online and I wanted to read about the Ryder Cup and get myself in the right frame of mind. But every time I picked up a paper or went on the internet there was another columnist or another ex-player having a go at
me and pointing out why I was the wrong pick”, said Poulter.
If your own people are taunting you or labelling you as being a ‘controversial pick’, one is bound to get frustrated. He said that the abuses were of such a level that it destroyed his enthusiasm for the event.
Even though Harrington had three major wins linked to his name, he is still being accused. He has great wins but he himself would agree that he hasn’t been performing up to the mark for the last eighteen months. Some people are more angry and shocked about
great players like Paul Casey and Justin Rose being left out than they are about Harrington. Along with Harrington, Luke Donald was very surprised to be chosen because he wasn’t expecting it. Edoardo Molinari was the third and final pick, which he did deserve
due to his recent win at Gleneagles. Still, it is unfair that they are taking Monty’s anger out on poor Harrington.
One person, who was extremely shocked by the captain’s picks, was Paul Azinger who was the former United States team Captain. He ridiculed Montgomerie for choosing this way. He compared this to the 2008 captain picking Poulter instead of Darren Clarke.
Really, what is it with European captains and surprising everyone with their extremely ‘wild’ picks?
Obviously with so much criticism, Harrington would be feeling greatly under pressure to justify his pick over his teammates, who are in better form than him. One thing Poulter pointed out that could work in favour of Harrington is that he doesn’t follow
the media very closely. If he isn’t really bothered about the press, he should put all his effort to improve his game before the cup. Padraig does have an amazing short game. Yet another advantage because this will not be the 72 holes play. In Ryder Cup matches,
if one can give 13 or 14 good holes, he has done enough.
Ian said that he has had a few weeks off so hopefully Padraig will be ready to go. Poulter consoles that under pressure one does tend to do well, as is evident from Harrington’s performance in 2008 Open.
Harrington hasn’t been victorious in any tournament since the US PGA Championship two years ago. The previous two Ryder Cups left him winless. He is scheduled to play at the Vivendi Trophy in Paris next week.
For Poulter this time, the days to the build-up are much less stressful than last year. As he practicing at his home in Orlando, Ian is gaining more confidence and form. With two weeks left to practice, he thinks that it’s going to be fun as opposed to a
lot of stress.
Poulter, who suffered enough comments in 2008, knows how to respond well to any offensive statement against him now. When Johnny Miller claimed that Poulter isn’t a very good shot maker, Poulter took this opportunity to tweet a table that clearly showed
Poulter as No 1 in greens.
When you’re famous, criticism and annoying press is likely to happen. The players should always believe in themselves and know how to handle this situation. We really hope this controversy doesn’t get to Harrington and he plays up to the mark in the Ryder
Cup.
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