Golf-Poulter will return to French Open after all, says O’Grady (Reuters)
July 9, 2009
By Tony Jimenez
LOCH LOMOND, Scotland, July 9 (Reuters) – World number 16Ian Poulter has back-tracked on his decision not to play in theFrench Open again, European Tour chief executive George O’Gradysaid on Thursday.
A furious Poulter blamed a media photographer when he ruinedhis victory chances by hitting his ball into a lake on the 15thhole at St Quentin last Sunday, vowing he would not return tothe tournament.
“He is a very passionate competitor who gives his all,”O’Grady told reporters during the first round of the ScottishOpen.
“I spoke to him yesterday and conveyed to him an apologyfrom the president of the French Golf Federation for thebehaviour of the photographer … and Ian has conveyed theFrench Open is definitely on his schedule.”
O’Grady said the Briton acknowledged he would have acteddifferently if he had given himself time to calm down after theincident.
“He said he was hot-headed, that it was too soon after hisround and he would not have reacted that way on Monday,” addedO’Grady.
“Ian was polite enough to say it was an excellenttournament, really well staged.”
Poulter made a good start to his Scottish Open campaign witha two-under-par 69.
(Editing by Ed Osmond. To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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