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Westwood's coach has sympathy for Poulter

ESPN staff
November 30, 2010
Ian Poulter speaks to referee Andy McFee © Getty Images
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Lee Westwood's coach Pete Cowen has leapt to the defence of Ian Poulter after the Englishman was left to rue a penalty stroke during a dramatic play-off defeat at the Dubai World Championship.

On the second extra hole, Poulter dropped his ball on his marker - which subsequently moved - meaning he was docked a shot. The penalty gave Robert Karlsson an opening and the Swede needed no second invitation, draining a four-foot birdie to secure victory and a cheque for nearly £777,000.

Although the fallout has seen Poulter earn the nickname 'Tiddlywinks' by his peers, not all the reaction has been in jest, with Cowen offering sympathy for what he views as "harsh" rules.

"Poults was a brave man to show his face," he told the Sun, referring to a post-tournament beach party. "The mickey-taking must have been hard to stomach, but pretty much everyone told him what happened was harsh.

"Rules are rules. Sometimes you have to acknowledge when they are stupid."

A reflective Poulter admitted after his mistake that the rule lacked clarity, although he did accept it was his own fault.

He said: "It's a strange rule because if I had dropped the ball on the middle of the marker and it had not moved there's no penalty," said the world No. 8.

"But I should not drop my ball on it. It's been my lucky marker since the start of the year and has got my kids' names on."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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