Ian Poulter reveals US Open fines for inflicting “severe locker destruction”

Ian Poulter has revealed he inflicted “severe locker destruction” across various tantrums at the US Open. 

The major has a reputation for leaving the world’s best players in despair – and that was apparent at the mental torture chamber that was Oakmont Country Club last week.

Regarded as the toughest layout on the USGA’s roster, the notorious Pittsburgh layout with its long rough narrow fairways and lightning fast greens certainly claimed some victims.

And while club throws and smashed tee markers now appear to increasingly common place in the elite male game, the subject of locker room tantrums was brought into focus again over the weekend.

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That was after it was alleged that Wyndham Clark, the 2023 champion, had destroyed two of the lockers in the historic members locker room at Oakmont.

While not confirmed, a widely shared photo by No Laying Up’s Tron Carter shows the damaged lockers and Clark is accused of being the culprit.

Poulter, who made 16 US Open appearances without breaking the top-ten, has owned up to his own misdemeanours at the tournament.

“I have inflicted severe Locker destruction through the years at US Opens and paid my fines,” the Ryder Cup legend wrote on X.

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• Wyndham Clark accused of destroying Oakmont locker room

“Generally they have been our temporary build lockers. Not members lockers. Not that that’s an excuse. Generally it’s been when I’ve felt the USGA have pushed the limits over the edge.”

Poulter was responding to his former Ryder Cup teammate and LIV Golf colleague Graeme McDowell who said: “This is minimal regards what I’ve seen other players do.”

Poulter, 49, has not played in a major since the 2022 Open Championship at St Andrews, but came agonisingly close to returning to the US Open last week as a caddie.

His son Luke, a promising college player, lost out in a 2-for-1 playoff at final qualifying to make his major debut in Pennsylvania, and Poulter later confirmed he would have been on the bag.