Angry Poulter says he was misquoted over Tiger comparison

By Tony Jimenez

DUBAI (Reuters) - An angry Ian Poulter said on Thursday he was misquoted in a magazine article which suggested he was the only player capable of challenging the supremacy of world number one Tiger Woods.

The 32-year-old Briton said the article in the March edition of Golf World had left him "in an unfortunate situation with egg on my face".

"I was misquoted," Poulter told reporters after opening his Dubai Desert Classic campaign with a two-under-par 70. "It was taken out of context."

Poulter, ranked 22nd in the world and with seven European Tour wins to his name, said the level of media reaction to the article had weighed heavily on his shoulders.

"I have had it on my mind since last night," he said. "You put the Internet on and it's THE (golf) story.

"The story is also I couldn't get my word (of reply) in before everyone else. I have to try and explain the situation of how it was actually said, as opposed to how it has been written.

"Two very different themes."

In the magazine, Poulter was quoted as saying he did not rate anyone else apart from Woods.

It also said the Englishman had not yet played to his full potential but "when that happens it will be just me and Tiger."

Poulter said he had taken probably a minute to answer a question "not just a few words."

GREAT SHAME

"That's how it has come out but that's not how it was said and that's a shame...a great shame," he added.

Poulter wanted to set the record straight on Thursday.

"Can I get to number one in the world ? No, I can't really, not while Tiger is playing golf," he said. "Can I get to number two, yeah.

"Justin (Rose) has moved up so far in the world rankings (to seventh) after last year. If he has the same year he had last year there's a chance of him taking the number two spot.