Ian Poulter launched a furious verbal attack at mobile phone abusers and also called on Tour officials to better ‘educate’ fans after a controversial incident early in his third round of the British Masters – https://closehouse.com/british-masters

Poulter, 41 has superbly put himself into contention for a first victory in nearly five years after a round of 68 for a share of second place at 11-under par and only one shot from the lead on a wet and cold day at Close House.

However the Englishman was  fuming on a day he could easily have ended the round leading by one had it not been for an incident at the par three fifth hole in taking a double bogey ‘5’.

For the two prior rounds Poulter and his caddy could be heard advising fans to put their mobile phone on ‘silent’mode .

Ian Poulter launches furious attack at mobile phone abusers. (Photo – European Tour/Getty)

But two to three spectators could be heard taking photos with their phones on Poulter’s backswing resulting in the World No. 55s tee shot finding water guarding the green.

Poulter was still furious after his round and suggesting Tour officials need to remind the public of their obligations in bringing mobile phones onto the course before venting his disgust to the media.

“What are we doing?” said a furious Poulter.

“We’ve allowed them all to take pictures and videos and tell   them to put them on silent, and it doesn’t work does it?

“You get distracted on the wrong hole at the wrong time and it’s extremely penal and it’s really f****** annoying.”

Poulter, who is seeking only to break back into the world’s top-50 this week but also claim a first win since success in the 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions, does not want mobile phones banned but he does want to Tour to act.

“They don’t realise they distract us as much as they do,” he said.

“Ninety-nine percent of them are on silent and unfortunately there’s a couple which are not. You’re not expecting it because you think they’ve got it on silent.

“I’m angry and am going to continue to be angry until I wake up tomorrow morning. Throwing shots away for no reason is really annoying.”

Poulter then headed to the range to further vent his anger.

Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, 42 emerged from a packed field to shoot a 67 and lead by one shot at 12-under par as he seeks a first victory in seven years.