Ian Poulter likes to answer questions. When asked about Tiger Woods' chances in the 2011 Masters Tournament, he didn't offer a boring-athlete answer, but instead chose to criticize Woods' shooting as of late and the higher standard posed by the course at Augusta National:
I don't think he'll finish in the top five. The shots he was hitting at Doral, they were very inconsistent. You can't afford to hit shots like that on this course and get away with it.
The quote made its way to Woods, who dismissed it at his press conference:
Poulter is always right, isn't he? My whole idea is to try to win the tournament. That's what I'm trying to do.
And back to Poulter, who countered on Twitter that he'd made the opposite observation about Woods the year prior and nobody cared:
I was asked last year if tiger would finish top 5 I said yes. I was asked this year I said I don't think so. Now I'm an ass, quallity press. You can't win with the press, you answer a question honestly, now I'm the one who looks a prick. The press can do that to you. Thanks boys. Note to self when asked about Tiger always bullshit & say what they want to hear, or you will be ridiculed. Noted not answering anymore.
You just can't win sometimes. Poulter is set to tee off Thursday at 11:47 am ET, following Woods' 10:41 at start.
For more on the Masters, visit SB Nation's golf hub and Waggle Room.