Ian Poulter Fumes At Ryder Cup Over Lack Of Birthday Wishes

Ian Poulter has criticised Ryder Cup Europe for failing to wish one of its legendary players a happy birthday.

Yesterday, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who is Team Europe’s all-time leading points scorer with 28.5, turned 43. However, since his decision to move to LIV Golf, it's no secret that relations have become strained and he is almost certain to miss the 2023 tournament at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. 

Nevertheless, the fact that Garcia did not receive a message from Ryder Cup Europe’s official Twitter account was enough to irk his fellow LIV Golf colleague. Following a tweet from the account showing a Francesco Molinari shot and the message: “Incredible touch @F_Molinari,” Poults replied: “What’s really an 'incredible touch' is the Players that helped build the @RyderCupEurope Brand with other players as well. You just can’t bring yourself to say a simple Happy Birthday. @TheSergioGarcia B’day Yesterday. Unfortunately this says so much.”

Poulter, of course, has an impressive Ryder Cup record of his own. He has lost only six of the 22 matches he has played in the tournament and is undefeated in singles matches. He was also pivotal in one of the greatest Ryder Cup comebacks of all time – dubbed the Miracle of Medinah – when he won all four of his matches as team Europe clinched victory from a seemingly forlorn position.

While Poulter clearly shares a bond with Garcia given the pair's Ryder Cup exploits and LIV Golf connection, there is a twist: LIV Golf sent a tweet of its own around the same time Poulter shared his criticisms of Ryder Cup Europe. Above an image of a familiar face, the message reads: “Join us in wishing Poults a happy birthday!”

Poulter turned 47 the day after Garcia celebrated his special day. Like the Spaniard, at the time of writing he has yet to receive a birthday wishes message from Ryder Cup Europe.