Ian Poulter on "annoying" and "funky" WGC Match Play group format

Ian Poulter has revealed he prefers the old format of the WGC Match Play and has labelled the current group stages of the tournament as "annoying" and "funky". 

Poulter, regarded by many as one of the finest match-play golfers of all time, made his feelings be known to the media after thrashing Rory McIlroy 6&5 on Wednesday. He then went on to defeat Cameron Smith 1up in his group match on Thursday. 

The Englishman currently leads Group 11, but he still must clinch a win or a tie against Lanto Griffin on Friday in order to progress to the knockout stages over the weekend. Should he lose his match against the American, then he will find himself in a playoff match in order to qualify for the knockout stages.  

Poulter claims he would much rather revert back to how the WGC Match Play used to be played with a straight knockout tournament from the outset.

"I prefer the old way, to be honest," said Poulter. 

"It's really simple. The simplicity of win your match or go home I think is the right way to play. 

"A couple of years ago, I beat Kevin Kisner in my first match and two days later we're heading off in a playoff to get out of the group, and he beats me and goes on to win. So I've just technically beaten the guy that wins the tournament. It's a bit annoying to be honest with you."

Poulter added: "This group format is a little funky. When there’s a couple of scenarios that can happen in these group matches which, if you’re in a position where you can’t advance, are you really trying really hard? I’m not really sure.

"The sponsors pay big money and the sponsors want the players here for as many days as possible, so they have the right to do that and I am not saying it’s right or wrong, but I think there’s a number of players that would like it back to the old way, where if you lose, you go home."