Golf's civil war has hit new levels this week with Ian Poulter bringing birthday wishes into the saga dividing the sport.
Poulter was one of the UK's most popular golfers and firmly cemented as a Ryder Cup icon before his controversial move to the Saudi-backed LIV series this year. And he's vociferously defended his big money move since, feuding with long-time teammate Rory McIlroy and now embroiled in legal action against the PGA Tour.
But his latest outburst has triggered memories of Yaya Toure's famous fallout with Manchester City, after neither the club or his agent Dimitri Seluk marked his 31st birthday. Poulter himself turned 47 on Tuesday, and was triggered by the Ryder Cup Europe Twitter account highlighting the "incredible touch" of Francesco Molinari.
Poulter wrote: "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."
Golf pundits were quick to pounce on Poulter's apparent anger, with Michael McEwan writing: "It's my birthday next month and I swear to God, if any of you forget to send me a tweet with your best wishes." Journalist Greg Allen also mocked the former world No 5.
" @IanJamesPoulter has sensitively done us a good turn in reminding us that no matter what decisions we make in life, hurtful for others that they may be, we should still expect to be wished Happy Birthday by them." The star responded with: "Just highlighting the orders that have been given from the Top down.. #pettypelley."
The hashtag was a reference to Keith Pelley, the CEO of the PGA European Tour. And the latest row comes amid a host of LIV rebels pushing for a legal ruling to allow them to play on the European circuit, despite their defection.
Like Poulter, Lee Westwood appeared in Greg Norman's first LIV event in St Albans in June. He saw the funny side of his fellow Englishman's outburst, sending a warning about his 50th birthday in April.
"Just FYI… I'm of an age where I don't want reminding that another birthday has come and gone! #birthdaygate." His fried joked back: "Hahahaha don’t worry I will remind everyone when that 50 rolls around."
