Augusta! Who's staying up to watch the Masters?

motokah wrote:

I fell asleep ard 6.40am... so didn't see Charl Schwartzel finish his round.

He deserved his win as he was the best "putter" for the last 4 days.
The prerequisite for all champions.
(+ he had some good luck on 1st & 3rd holes.)

NIIKe VRs all the way!!!

I can't help to remember Ian Poulter. He did mentioned to the Media that Tiger will not make top list on this tournament and Tiger's sarcastic reply that Ian is always right.

what a way for Tiger to show how right Ian can be. I love how Tiger proof how wrong he is, serves him (Ian) right for a lesson of being an @ss.

Ian Poulter likes to express himself, both in words and in clothing. And just as clothes can make one look foolish, so can what you say.

And in this age of the internet, it is preserved for ever.

In his own words again,

Ian Poulter wrote:

I was asked last year if tiger would finish top 5 I said yes. I was asked this year I said I don't think so. Now I'm an ass, quallity press. You can't win with the press, you answer a question honestly, now I'm the one who looks a prick. The press can do that to you. Thanks boys. Note to self when asked about Tiger always bullshit & say what they want to hear, or you will be ridiculed. Noted not answering anymore.

I think it's safe to say he's learnt his lesson. For now...

same as posts in public forum

Lee36328 wrote:

Ian Poulter likes to express himself, both in words and in clothing. And just as clothes can make one look foolish, so can what you say.

And in this age of the internet, it is preserved for ever.

In his own words again,

Ian Poulter wrote:

I was asked last year if tiger would finish top 5 I said yes. I was asked this year I said I don't think so. Now I'm an ass, quallity press. You can't win with the press, you answer a question honestly, now I'm the one who looks a prick. The press can do that to you. Thanks boys. Note to self when asked about Tiger always bullshit & say what they want to hear, or you will be ridiculed. Noted not answering anymore.

I think it's safe to say he's learnt his lesson. For now...

Actually, I respect him for speaking his mind and not wanting to be "politically correct", careful with words. The question posted to him was if HE THOUGHT Tiger would finish top 5.

If I was asked this question, I would not want to think whether I was going to get flamed if my personal thought was going to be correct or not. I am not being paid to predict the outcome, nor was Ian Poulter. He felt that Tiger won't be in the Top 5. What's wrong with this thought of his?

Does he need to be answering carefully like Phil Mickelson by diverting the question and answering in an ambiguous way and at the end of the day, no one actually knows whether he has actually answered the question?

You may argue that he is a public figure and needs to be careful with his words. Sorry but... that! Who wants to be friends who are always politically correct la, always says things that are superficial? These would be my "Hi and Bye!" acquaintances. I wouldn't even want to use the term "friends" to describe them.

The reason why he got flamed by the press is because there are pressmen who doesn't like him and would find every opportunity to make him look bad. That's all.

Is there ONE person in this world where 100% of the world population likes? I don't think so....

I absolutely support the right to speak one's mind truthfully. When consequences are unpleasant is often when the truth has the most value.

This was Poulter being Poulter.

So, why regret it afterwards?

When asked to predict how Tiger will do in the tournament, Poulter paused for 18 seconds before he answered. 18 seconds, to collect his thoughts and choose his words. He knew he was being baited. But he could not resist and walked right into it.

The press duly reported his comments, doing their job.

And Poulter regretted it immediately; the tweet above was before the tournament started, BEFORE Tiger finished T4. Why regret expressing your opinion if expressing your opinion with no holds barred was important to you?

If the press ask you a question and your answer, the answer will be reported. They are just doing their jobs.

In December, Poulter tweeted that he tweaked Woods on a practice green by calling him: “No. 2.”

See the trend here? And the press know it, and that if they bait Poulter, he won't be able to resist. Will they try again next August? Of course.

There are many ways to express your thoughts, from blunt to refined. But the most eloquent expression is often the unspoken one.

After setting up Poulter, they tried to do the same to Tiger.

Tiger, when asked to comment on Poulter's prediction, would only deign to say, "Poulter is always right, isn’t he?”

that no.2 comment was a reply to Tiger mocking Poulter for moving his marker. Only thrash talk.

There's nothing to this, we as fans should just enjoy the banter. Personally, I much prefer Poulter's interesting replies than Tiger's usual short and serious replies.

Phil was also asked about Tiger's chances before the tournament. Phil being Phil, chose a diplomatic, conservative, oblique answer.

Too boring, not worth reporting.

And then Phil bombs, shooting four rounds in the 70's, and no one says a word. Poulter also finished T27 like Phil, but people remember his pre-round comments.

Poulter is fun to read about because he simply cannot resist.

In 2008, he made this statement in an interview.

"The trouble is I don't rate anyone else," the 32-year-old Briton was quoted as saying in the March issue of the United Kingdom version 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."

The "It will be just me and Tiger" comment was heard around the world, and stirred up many of his fellow competitors.

Poulter thinks very highly of himself. When his performance catches up with his self-confidence, watch out.

For now though, Poulter makes more headlines with his comments. He is more fun to listen to or read about in an interview than to watch on the course.

Agree with Pushslice, it's colourful characters like Poulter that keeps golf alive in the public interest, without which the game would be languishing.

Remember how boring golf was before the advent of Tiger, the press was constantly on the look out for the next Great White Hope (turned out he was Black, or more PC, Cablinasian). Just as boring are Tiger's comments as well, he's the worst person to interview, can't ask this or that, and every answer is as expected and nothing new. Yawn...

In any case, there is always more than meets the eye with any public figure, politically correct or not. It's just how much of the real or fake they want to share with the press and public. Excellent case in point, Tiger Woods yet again.

All that you read, is never all of the story.

Readers want the juicy gossip, press digs public figure to provide. All three are cogs turning the big media machine.

Worked 6 months in PR as an intern.

And one thing i elarnt during my stint in Pr is that, Perception is everything.

IP has a love/hate relationship with the media. Y? Bc he is frank, straight forward, sometimes to the point of being brutally honest. Reporters want juice and scoop, but because these days, golfers (like celebrities) media trained, they dont get much apart from the 'No response' type of response.

what fun would life be without a little controversy?

Charl who?

i walked away after watching this year Master with just one picture in my mind, Rory's meltdown.

the bottom line is Charl has lucks on his side tht day, Rory didnt and his confidence suffered as a result.

am pulling all out for Rory at the PGA Championship. ord got tickets for Wentworth.

It's fated to be Charl's jacket. Chip in on 1st, eagle on 3rd... I sensed he was going to do something special already.

That said, Tiger's tee shot on the par 3 6th, 2nd shot on par 5 8th, and the approach on par 5 15th... fuyoh!!

This shot at the 8th was a marvel to behold.

Tiger hit a draw that moved 50 yards right to left for an eagle putt, the highlight of his first 9 charge shooting 31.

Glad I was able to see this live.

I merged the ballflight from 4 frames; you can see the ball starting to draw on the 4th frame.

Also why Kaymer missed the cut in 4 Augusta appearances; he's got to learn how to draw like this, or stick to desert courses like Dubai.