Ian Poulter takes aim at Faldo

• Ryder Cup hero uses new book to criticise former captain.
• Englishman hits back at Sir Nick following Garcia comments.
• ‘The Postman’ also delivers dig at ‘Mashed Potato’ crowd.

Ian Poulter has used his new autobiography to tear a strip off his fellow Englishman Sir Nick Faldo.

Writing in ‘No Limits’, which goes on-sale this week, Poulter takes aim the six-time major winner for comments he made about Sergio Garcia during last month’s Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

During his television commentary on the second day of the match, Faldo described the Spaniard as having been ‘useless’ during the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla, where the Englishman captained the side to a first loss since 1999.

Like many of the players at the time, Poulter took exception to that comment and wrote about it in his new book.

“It makes me laugh,” writes Poulter, pictured below with Faldo at the 2008 Ryder Cup. “Faldo is talking about someone being useless at the 2008 Ryder Cup. That’s the Ryder Cup where he was captain. That’s the Ryder Cup where the Europe team suffered a heavy defeat.

“And he was captain. So who’s useless? Faldo might need to have a little look in the mirror. I have always got on great with Faldo in the past and I have a great deal of respect for everything he has achieved but this feels like sour grapes. It feels like a guy who is still bitter that he lost in 2008.

“Faldo has lost a lot of respect from players because of what he said. There were plenty of things a lot of the players were unhappy with at Valhalla but none of us criticised him. He may find that begins to change now.”

Poulter has also used his new book to take a swipe at the people go shout after players hit their shots in many high-profile, mainly American-based, tournaments.

Cries of ‘mashed potato’ and ‘baba booey’ have become more and more common in recent years but Poulter isn’t a fan.

He writes: “Guys are trying to get themselves heard on TV – that’s what it is. It’s somebody thinking, I am going to go to a golf tournament today and I’m going to shout ‘Me nan wears pants’. It’s really not very clever.

“If you are concentrating on a shot and someone screams on your backswing, it is off-putting. It has the potential to affect the outcome of a match or tournament.”

Ian Poulter :: ‘No Limits’ :: Out this week

Want to read more from Ian Poulter? Then make sure you pick up a copy of his new autobiography, ‘No Limits’, on-sale from Thursday, priced at £20.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor