Ian Poulter labelled an ‘a***hole’ ahead of The Open but denies claim he directed ‘shower of expletives’ at volunteer
Author Quintin Jardine — who calls himself Scotland's crime overlord — claimed Poulter abused him at the Scottish Open
IAN POULTER has denied claims he unleashed a “shower of expletives” at self-proclaimed ‘crime overlord’ author Quintin Jardine at the Scottish Open.
Best-selling author Jardine, a member of the host course Gullane, was marshalling on Saturday when Poulter hit a wayward drive on the first hole.
In a letter to the European Tour, the 73-year-old writer claimed that Poulter “arrived in a shower of expletives” as he asked for the location of his ball.
Jardine wrote: “I told him and said that I had not ventured into the bush for fear of standing on it.
“I wasn’t expecting thanks, but I wasn’t expecting aggression either.
“He told me in essence that I should have, his reasoning being that if I stood on the ball it was a free drop, whereas if he did it was a penalty.
“Basically I take no s**t from no man. Industrial language doesn’t bother me, but truculent aggression does.
“I’m not asking for him to be fined, because I don’t see the point of that. However I would like him to be reminded that even though most of the world knows you’re an a***hole, there’s no need to go proving it to the rest.”
Addressing the situation via his Twitter account on Sunday morning, Poulter disputed the claims of Jardine.
The 42-year-old said he was “extremely sad” to see the complaint and claimed he informed Jardine that “if you stand on [the ball] I can replace it without penalty”.
Poulter added: “Venting at myself like I do at times I said a couple of choice words aimed at myself.
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“I do not abuse Marshall’s. I may have done in my early years. [sic]
“After I played my shot I said to the Marshall ‘I’m not frustrated at you I just want you to know the rule in case you come across the situation again. He said ok thanks.”
Poulter finished the tournament joint 30th at nine-under.
The incident comes just days before The Open at Carnoustie, which begins on Thursday.