Time for Ian Poulter to put money where his mouth is, says Mark O'Meara

Apr 13 2008 By Euan Mclean

MARK O'MEARA has told Ian Poulter the time has come to prove he has the game to match his mouth by making himself a Major star.

The American veteran was impressed after playing with Poulter over the first two days at Augusta.

But now he's challenging the extrovert Englishman to finish the job and justify his infamous comments claiming he's the second best player on the planet.

O'Meara is close friends with Tiger Woods and says the world's best player found it funny when he read Poulter's outlandish claims that it would be "just me and Tiger" if he played to his potential.

But this is serious now for Poulter as the world of golf waits for him to deliver the proof that he is more than just a big mouth with snazzy slacks.

He has been mocked in the US for his magazine comments but O'Meara said: "I don't think that bothered Tiger - he thinks it's funny.

"Tiger calls Ian 'No.2' now - but I don't believe he thinks he is!

"There's nothing wrong with having some self confidence but your record speaks for itself.

"I don't know how many events Ian has won on the European Tour but you gotta win multiple tournaments and win around the world to really be considered a world-class player.

"He certainly has the skills to do that but only time will tell.

"He's still young and he backed that up on Thursday and Friday by playing so well - and he looked very fetching-wearing that pink outfit as well! I couldn't sport that at 51 and I don't see you guys in the press wearing pink like that out there either - but there are probably young kids who like it.

"Listen, he's good for the game. There's nothing wrong with a guy who has a personality and a little bit of snazz.

"But is he the second best player in the world? I'm not sure about that.

"He is good and has potential if he works hard and plays well in the majors to keep developing.

"He could get to a high ranking in the world, easily in the top 10, but he's the one who has to do that. Nobody else can do it for him.

"He played really well for two days. He was solid.

"I don't know how many times he's won before but this is an entirely different arena.

"Come Sunday it's another ball game - but if he can keep playing like that he should have a shot at the title."