Ian Poulter knows more than most exactly what it takes to perform at the Ryder Cup, where he boasts a superb record.
Currently plying his trade on LIV Golf, Poulter has represented Team Europe at the prestigious competition on seven occasions.
He has won the Ryder Cup five times, with a record of 15-8-2, which includes a 6-0-1 record from his singles appearances.
Bubba Watson has praised Poulter’s Ryder Cup displays over the years, from which he’s won his side 16 points.
They have arrived in both Europe and the United States, with the Europeans now preparing for another away Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Ian Poulter calls out ‘embarrassing stupidity’ from American golf fans just before the Ryder Cup
Poulter won’t be involved in New York, but he has made comments just before the competition that should intensify the rivalry between the two teams.
Alongside Tyrrell Hatton, he was presented with a series of statements by Sportbible, of which he needed to pick strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree.
The first statement read: ‘American golf fans are better than European golf fans’, with Poulter immediately picking strongly disagree.
READ MORE: Tyrrell Hatton shares how he feels about his golf swing ahead of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
He said: “I don’t even know where to start. There’s no… I mean, f—— ‘mashed potato’ and all that b——- that you hear is madness. ‘In the hole! Get in the hole!’ It’s a 600-yard par five you f—— idiot.
“I actually just want to borrow the taser from the security guard. Just to let one go per hole would be amazing.
“Imagine that. You’ve got one taser per hole. That’d be awesome. How good, right between the eyes. Have it.”
And when asked if he thinks heckling has gone too far, he replied: “It’s not heckling, it’s just complete and utter embarrassing stupidity.
“We don’t get that at The Open Championship. You don’t get it anywhere. Like, it’s only in America the stupidness comes out.
“This is just a UK channel, right? I mean, it’s just so annoying. It’s annoying. It’s like, there’s no need for it, right?
“Our fans, when they come and watch golf, are very respectful. I’m not completely dissing the American fans, because the atmosphere in America is amazing. I think it’s the understanding of a good shot.”
Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter agree on one aspect of American golf fans
It was indeed the understanding of a good shot when Poulter’s fellow LIV Golf star Hatton shared his thoughts.
He also selected strongly disagree to the statement, saying to Poulter: “You’ve gone to town. You’ve just roasted them.
“There are a number of times in the States where you can hit four-iron to, say, 15 feet, and that’s a great shot, but no one up at the green has clapped, and you’re kind of like, ‘Oh’.
“You thought you’d missed the green. You can’t see where the ball’s finished. You get up there and you’re like, ‘—- me, it’s a tough crowd’.”
Poulter concurred: “It’s like you walk up to the green and you actually want to give yourself a clap. ‘Was that not good enough?’”
While there was criticism, Hatton was undoubtedly more reserved in his verdict, which certainly makes sense given his upcoming event.
He is part of Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black, where the fans already have enough ammo to ensure he’s in for a hostile week without added incentive.
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