European Tour Insider: There's only one Ian Poulter

text size

Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

Ian Poulter has never been shy about showing his emotions on or off the golf course.

I like Ian Poulter. "So what?" you might say. And what does it really matter whether I like him or not?

I say it, because -- to use a typically English expression - he's not everyone's cup of tea.

RELATED

Poulter's metamorphosis
Interview: Ian Poulter
Simplicity key to Poulter's win

Ian Poulter is not typically English, at least not the traditional stereotypical impression of one. But he is exceptionally proud of being English and representing his country.

Poults is too brash to be your archetypal Englishman. He displays his confidence too openly. He's too bold. I do not say this as condemnation, just to point out he is not the norm.

Admittedly, these characteristics are not always appealing. I have seen when he stomps off the course after a poor finish to a round and thunderclouds are circling his head. I have seen occasional off-handedness. And yet I have also heard his later apologies, genuinely sorry for his behavior.

Many of us -- perhaps all of us -- love the traditions of golf. We love the sportsmanship and etiquette. But I'm not one to castigate the club-throwers, or to be overly critical of a little choice language.

People should have thicker skins, and accept that things happen in the heat of the moment. I like a player to show his irritation. Poulter certainly does. He's a heart-on-sleeve man, but he, too, is mindful and respecting of the game. One stance doesn't have to contradict the other.

Poulter's victory in the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship sees him win at this level for the first time in his career, and to reach a world high of No. 5. It's of great satisfaction to him to win in the United States, where he now calls Orlando home.

It's a little odd to think that with his profile on the world stage, he only recently ended a two-year period without a win, and indeed a three-year drought on the European Tour. His success in the Barclays Singapore Open at the end of last year was his eighth on the Tour, but first since an event in Madrid in 2006. He'd won in Japan the following year.

The world profile has plenty to do with his performances at the majors which have shown an admirable consistency in recent years, and of course his star turn when one of Nick Faldo's selections in the latest Ryder Cup. He'll be a shoe-in for Colin Montgomerie's side in Wales this year.

And I've gotten this far without mentioning the prominence accorded by his clobber, which is a British way of saying his wardrobe. Peacock Poulter's dress sense has frequently led to more comment than his golf. A little unfairly, perhaps, but understandably; there's no one else like him.

The Tour's stars have long played to a world stage, but surely now there are more stars from Europe than there have ever been. A look at the top end of the current world rankings proves the point, and the number making progress last week in Arizona supports the argument.

In the course of this season, through upcoming events in Malaysia, Morocco and Madeira, I'll hope to introduce and illuminate some of the characters we have in this great sport.

There's only one Ian Poulter, but there's colour and personality in depth.

Nick Dye is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.