The Ryder Cup is one of the only events in golf where you can really mess with someone's psyche. Stories of players jangling change in their pockets, or staring their opponents down do happen, and it even gets to the point where not conceding a short putt is tactical. Ian Poulter is claiming one American player, who wasn't identified by the Englishmen but was noted as Anthony Kim, ran into him with his shoulder during Saturday's fourball match.
Cameras caught a collision between the two players as Poulter walked out of a tee box. Kim wasn't playing in the fourballs, but decided to walk the course as a spectator and was a boisterous presence as he cheered on Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk in their close fourball tussle with Poulter and Graeme McDowell.
"As opposed to walking around me as I was walking off the tee, he decided to drop his right shoulder into me," related Poulter. "You don't need that when you're playing. It's not what you'd expect from a fellow professional." Footage shows Poulter remonstrating with Kim shortly afterwards. Kim's energy, and his crushing victory over Sergio Garcia in Sunday's singles match, have been praised by the US press as vital to the team's victory.
First, I have yet to see any evidence of this happening. If cameras did catch this, it probably would be all over the Internet and since we haven't seen it yet it probably was unintentional. If it is true, I actually kinda like it. It wasn't like he was trying to hurt Poulter by running into him, and a little bump here or there is pretty awesome. I'm sure if Kim had gone up to Team Visor and slapped him in his teeth, something would have been done about it, but the fact that this might or might not have been a bump that might or might not have been intentional is hardly something to preach to the media about.
Poulter, you lost. I'm sorry buddy but it happened, and rather convincingly. It obviously had nothing to do with your spectacular play all week, but most of the time, if you lose something, you should probably just get on that plane and get out of Kentucky as quick as possible.
If it really is getting to you, might I suggest you bump someone next Ryder Cup? How about Tiger Woods? I heard Steve Williams is really accepting of people bullying up his boy.
Also, Lee Westwood, who in his attempt to damn Boo Weekley actually called out the entire country, had some prank calls on Saturday night that he wasn't too happy about. The culprits bypassed the "Prince Albert in a can" joke and the always great "refrigerator running" line for that one about good luck. You know, the one where you call someone and wish him good luck. Yeah, that one. Try it tonight, people get so mad when you call and wish them good luck in an upcoming competition. Boy, does that get my chili a-boiling!
And I thought we were a country full of whiners."They were trying to ring me but called the wrong hotel and got the wrong Westwood," he said. "It really upset my dad's preparations for walking around the course! I also got a phone call at 12:30am wishing me good luck. I must be taking on the Monty role. Let's pick on the old guy with a few grey hairs!"
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I strongly disagree with you on the alleged bumping incidence betteween Kim and Poulter. If it did happen, it has no place in golf and is not to be cheered on. Seve ruined his reputation when he began to jangle change and cough. The americans do not this kind of tag line.
The Americans won the match fair and square - congrats.
"If it is true, I actually kinda like it. It wasn't like he was trying to hurt Poulter "
Any true supported of golf would read this and cringe. If Kim did indeed barge poulter in an attempt to physc hin out he should be ashamed of himself..... the "true greats" of this game (Nicklaus and Co) spent a long time trying to make this game one of respect and integrity, idiots like you condoning this kind of behaviour just undo their great work.
Look forward to 2010 - where once again you will see a vocal support, but one which shows an appreciation for the game of golf and one which respects the great golfers on show.
Yeah, all of us golf purists should completely cringe over that idiotic remark about Anthony Kim's brutal, violent, Ray Lewis-style, alleged shoulder charge.
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! You weenies.
Yeah, relax man, it has been a boring state of affairs up until Ryder Cup. A little attitude is exactly what we need with Tiger out. There's not many other golfers I'd tune in to watch now other than Kim.
If you think golf needs those kind of antics to make it exciting perhaps you should be watching another sport?
I thought Kim was awesome against Sergio....he showed he has what it takes to be the next big thing. My adivce - let your golf do the talking (like you did against Serg) and leave the "attitiude" to football players.
Kim has a huge following of young supporters....he needs to step up (as Tiger has done) and be an ambassador for the game.
Well, fair point Ross, I do represent the casual golf fan rather than the die-hard -- the one who doesn't watch unless a particular storyline is compelling.. Without Tiger on the course, golf has lacked oomph in the air. And I think a large portion of people didn't tune into to watch Tiger be an "ambassador" -- they tuned in because he brought raw emotion and personality to every hole. I'm just not gonna get hung up on one alleged bump, because Kim is most definitely the future, and one of the emerging personalities -- everything from his charisma to his belt-buckles.
http://www.golfdigest.com/images/magazine/2007/08/maar01_kim0708.jpg
If it did happen, Poulter should have stopped right there, and had Kim removed by security from the property. He let it pass then, and should not bitch about it now. As for Westwood, just like Monty, he asks for such treatment due to his on course facial displays. Perhaps he should change his pre-shot routine. 2010 will be "get even time" for the Europeans, and of course the media stir up old memories to be sure. Patch
Shane Bacon, if, in fact, that is your name, you are a jerk to say you "kinda like that." If Kim had done that, then it should have been not "kinda" lauded, but dumped on. Golf is unlike any other sport, because it has more than a modicum of civility, and personal integrity as part of its guiding ethic, and, in fact, which is delineated in its rules. You degrade this sport by your, what, gen-(what alphabet generation are you Shane, if, in fact, that is your name?) sensibility.
"WHEN IT'S CRYING TIME AGAIN"
Ray Charles says it best.
Listen to the song Westwood. You may want Monty to listen to it with you.