memorex88

Mar. 22, 2008

DORAL, Fla. -- Ian Poulter has a spare putter in his hotel room, but he might face a difficult decision on Sunday morning.

He had to putt with his wedge for four holes on Saturday during the third round of the World Golf Championships-CA Championship. Poulter made a tap-in birdie and a 20-footer for par on No. 18 using the wedge on the way to an even-par 72.

"I think I might have to putt with a wedge more often," Poulter said.

The colorful Brit had to adopt the unusual strategy after accidentally altering his putter as he walked to the 15th tee on Saturday. Poulter had tapped the putter on the cart path as he walked, and the weight on the back came loose, although it was still attached to the club.

Poulter explained what happened to rules official Robby Ware as he walked down the 15th fairway. Ware told Poulter he couldn't use the putter because it was damaged and was now non-conforming under Rule 4:3/9. Poulter then asked for a second opinion from rules official Andy McFee of the European Tour, who agreed with Ware's decision.

"I was talking to Andy and in my view the face hadn't changed, the shaft isn't bent, it's still in its current form, but under the rules, it's deemed to be taken out of play," Poulter said.

Tournament director Slugger White said the situation was also discussed on the two-way radio that the rules officials use. Again, the ruling was confirmed.

"And then there was a decision (of the rules of golf) on it, too," White said. "It was almost like he wrote the decision. Player walks off the green, tapping his putter on the green, and I think the decision said it broke. But it's not in the normal course of play, so he couldn't use it anymore."

Poulter said he hadn't altered the club intentionally, but he didn't want there to be any question.

"If you look at it, I had obviously missed a putt from about eight feet on the previous green, so some people will say it's done in frustration," Poulter said. "Some people won't. The fact is the weight is moved on the back.

"It's strange that it moved with such a light tap, to be honest. I guess concrete and metal don't really mix too well. One of those things. I have got a spare in the room,"

Poulter played his final four holes without the putter in even par, making a bogey when he missed the green at the par-3 15th and sinking a 3-footer for birdie at the next. He will get to sleep in while the third round, suspended by thunderstorms, resumes Sunday morning. He is 1 under through 54 holes.

*from worldgolfchampionships.com

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