Poulter escapes Olly criticism

Jose Maria Olazabal refused to berate Ian Poulter tonight for his behaviour late on the third day of the Seve Trophy at The Wynyard near Middlesbrough.

Continental Europe captain Olazabal was watching as Poulter displayed what clearly looked like annoyance at opponents Niclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson.

First Poulter laid down his putter – with his head of it in the hole – after being asked to make a short putt at the 16th.

Then he indicated to partner Bradley Dredge not to concede either on the 17th when both pairs were only two feet away from the cup, or at the last when Fasth had two putts for victory from 10 feet.

“I don’t want to say anything that can create a bad atmosphere,” commented Olazabal.

“He’s a young kid (Poulter is actually 30 in January) and he probably won’t do that when he is 35 or 40 years old.

“I think he’ll be more mature.

“Ian felt that way and that’s it. It’s up to him to do what he wants to do.”

Colin Montgomerie, captain of the Britain and Ireland side which leads 9 1/2-8 1/2 with 10 singles left, did not see what happened.

But he noted that it was generous of Fasth and Peter Hanson to shake hands with Paul Casey and David Howell during the morning greensomes when they required two putts for victory from around 20 feet.

Poulter was criticised by Montgomerie after the opening day’s play for practising while Padraig Harrington and Paulk McGinley were playing on the adjacent 18th hole.