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Englishman prefers a return to a straight shoot out
Words: GolfPunk
Photography: Getty Images
Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter got off to a great start to the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play duffing up an out of form Rory McIlroy 6&5 before declaring he found the format “annoying”. Poults would prefer a return to the traditional format where if you lose, you go home. Poulter, who benefited from the poor play of McIlroy, including a visit to the swimming pool of a villa overlooking the 5th hole, will take on Australian Cameron Smith in his second group match. “I prefer the old way, to be honest,” said Poulter after his win. “Because it's really simple. And the simplicity of win your match or go home I think is the right way to play. I think -- couple of years ago I beat Kisner in my first match and two days later we're heading off in a match play to playoff to get out of the group and he beats me and guess on to win. So I've just technically beaten the guy that wins the tournament. It's a bit annoying, to be honest with you. Yeah, but this format gets a little funky when there's a couple of scenarios that can happen in these group matches which, if you're in a position where you can't advance, are you really trying really hard? Not really sure.” Despite his reservations, Poulter is a real fan of match play golf, particularly when the Ryder Cup comes around. “Yeah, I love the format. I mean it's no secret to know that when I go out in match play it really kind of, it kind of keeps me turned on pretty quickly as soon as you tee off.”
