Ian Poulter On Rory McIlroy Criticism: "It's Ridiculous"

The Ryder Cup legend told Sky Sports News that McIlroy is one of the most consistent golfers we've seen

Ian Poulter On Rory McIlroy Criticism
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Ryder Cup legend told Sky Sports News that McIlroy is one of the most consistent golfers we've seen

Ian Poulter On Rory McIlroy Criticism: "It's Ridiculous"

Ian Poulter says criticism of Rory McIlroy is "ridiculous" after the four-time Major winner lost his 54-hole lead and finished 3rd at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Poulter says McIlroy is one of the most consistent golfers of his generation and that it is hard playing under huge expectations.

McIlroy is without a victory since November 2019 and has been receiving criticism for the best part of six years now for not winning more Majors.

Whether it is his putting, his wedge play, his caddie choice or something else, the Northern Irishman is seemingly always under fire if he is not winning tournaments.

The 31-year-old took a one stroke lead into the final round in Abu Dhabi but ended third after a stunning final round from winner Tyrrell Hatton.

"It's ridiculous. Rory is probably, pound-for-pound the most consistent golfer on the planet. When you look at how many top fives and top 10s he has, his record is incredible," Poulter told Sky Sports News.

"We all expect so much of him because he is such an incredible talent. And when someone like Rory is a prolific winner in his early years, and then hasn't won a Major for a few years, the questions get asked.

"But Rory McIlroy is one of the most motivated golfers I've ever seen, and one of the most professional.

"He's extremely knowledgeable about the game of golf, and about his own game, and he's always looking to make improvements.

"I guess it's hard being in his position, when there are huge expectations and none more so than the expectations he has of himself.

"So finishing third in Abu Dhabi is probably a disappointment for him when he was leading going into Sunday.

"But it was still a third-place finish, it's not like he completely blew up and finished outside the top 10.

"He is one of the most consistent players we've ever seen in golf."

Related: Debate - Will Rory McIlroy win another Major?

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV