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Was Spieth’s chest pound toward Poulter too much while down 10-6? Or do you love it?

Published

8 years ago

Sep 29, 2018

It seemed that Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, coming off an emotional 2&1 victory against Ian Poulter and Jon Rahm in the morning fourballs match, got somewhat of a stern talking to from the United States’ “task force” coming off the final green. Which makes sense; the “I can’t hear you” and ball-carrying celebrations don’t play as well when getting blown out by the opposition. But, on the flip side, the squad needed an emotional boost from somewhere.

In their afternoon foursomes match against Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy, it seemed as though JT and Spieth had relatively toned down the celebrations, while Poulter kept up his incessant chest pounding. But Spieth and JT didn’t tone down the birdies; they pulled out another W, winning the afternoon match 4&3.

On the last hole, however, Spieth celebrated with a clear “in-your-face” 3-pump chest pound, imitating Ian Poulter’s celebrations throughout the day. Not a big deal in the Ryder Cup atmosphere, but, the putt was to move from down 10-5 against the Europeans to 10-6. Maybe not the right time to gloat?

Spieth explains the Poulter celebration: “(Ian Poulter) pounded his chest on us earlier today, so I was waiting for the right moment” pic.twitter.com/mTHEwoTTHz

— GolfWRX (@GolfWRX) September 29, 2018

Steve Sands was on the scene of the 15th green (where the match concluded) and asked Spieth himself about the celebration.

Sands: One of the things that makes this event so fascinating is the emotion coming, pouring out of you guys while you’re competing, something we don’t normally see on a regular basis week-in and week-out. You’re pounding your chest, clearly sending a message. Just curious what it’s like to play with that type of emotion with all of these people around.

Spieth: “Yea I mean Ian (Poulter), being a Ryder Cup guru, to have him twice today and win, and he pounded his chest on us earlier today. So I was waiting for the right moment. And I think to win the match this afternoon felt like the right time. Clearly we’re down 4 points so in the scheme of things we shouldn’t necessarily be celebrating, but for us two to get that point, the way that we played today, and the battle we had with those guys, both matches, it was emotional. It was awesome. It feels like you’re competing on a Sunday in a major every single hole during the Ryder Cup. And that’s what’s advantageous when you start to see putts go in like that, we can use that going forward.”

What do you think about Spieth’s celebration? Too much, or exactly what the United States needed to gain a bit of momentum?

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

16 Comments

Christopher Hansen

Oct 1, 2018 at 3:59 pm

Immature, and ineffective…Next. Moving on now.

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Art Williams

Oct 1, 2018 at 3:11 pm

As they say “he who laughs last, laughs best”. If done in fun it was good. If not. don’t mimic but find your own vibrato to celebrate. Bottom line is we had our hats handed to us!

Reply Report comment
joro

Oct 1, 2018 at 12:41 pm

It was stupid although giving the chest young to him was appropriate, it was more funny than anything else. Face it when Poulter does it with his eyes bulging out like a Frog it is to us ah “in you face moment” and he like it only when we do it. I do think a more appropriate match would have been pairing Reed against Poulder which would have been some interesting moments with those two throwing barbs at each other and put Speith out with Maybe Hatton. Face it, it is nothing but entertainment and those two are the best qt that

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Milton Taylor

Oct 1, 2018 at 11:54 am

Too much?!?!?!

Ok I want to say that this is all fun and games to me. I don’t take the Ryder cup too personal and it’s not because I’m not interested in it, I’m just not a tool! I don’t get into the personal attacks on players or the beyond rude behavior of some… I repeat, some of the drunks. With all that being said, the Euro’s rub our noses in it every chance they get. Slamming clubs after a win (See John Rahm) pounding their chest after a point (insert Ian Poulter video) or yelling to the crowd or anyone that will listen after making a putt, I can putt, I can putt (See Rors). Show some dang fire, and don’t apologize for it. Maybe, just maybe it will carry over to some points.

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dixiedoc

Oct 1, 2018 at 11:07 am

Nothing wrong there. I’m sure Ian didn’t care either. At least it showed some interest, unlike Tiger and Phil

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chisag

Oct 1, 2018 at 11:00 am

A sack dance happens after a football player harnesses his adrenaline, physically fights thru a 300+ lb Olineman trying to stop him and it all happens in a few seconds everyone battling at the snap of the ball which is out of everyones control other than the QB and center. I understand the emotion that spills out.

A golf ball just sits there waiting until the player is ready to hit it. Remaining calm and controlling your nerves is essential to good play. A golfing “sack dance” is just so lame and all about individual ego. I think everyone loves a good fist pump, especially the subtle ones or the one to win. But chest thumping and screaming is beyond silly.

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shawn

Sep 30, 2018 at 10:43 am

I’m tired of all the berserker celebrations. It’s become a clown show. No joy, just anger.

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CaoNiMa

Sep 30, 2018 at 3:17 am

He’s trying to energize what’s a relatively boring tournament, so I don’t see anything wrong with it.

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Terry

Sep 30, 2018 at 1:25 am

Maybe Spieth (chest pounding) and JT (finger behnd the ear) should show some originality and come up with their own taunts/celebrations instead of Euro copying HA HA

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John B

Sep 29, 2018 at 9:50 pm

If it was any other European then it might have been excessive… but to that jerk Ian Poulter who treats fans poorly and acts likes he’s the greatest golfer of all time (where’s the majors?) I say good for Spieth!!!

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Commentor 5244

Sep 29, 2018 at 5:36 pm

All seems a little disingenuous and overblown to me.
Was feeling it two years ago, but now it’s a thing…shhh, open mouth primal scream…yeah ok.
The excitement comes from all the out-of-body putting and chip-ins.

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Tom

Sep 29, 2018 at 3:54 pm

US has show little heart in this Ryder Cup until Spieth did that! Good for him.

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- gunmetal
  
  Sep 29, 2018 at 7:01 pm
  
  Heart has very little to do with ball striking. Or in the US case, lack thereof.
  
  Reply Report comment
GMN

Sep 29, 2018 at 3:21 pm

I seem to remember a certain player from Europe doing the same thing in 2012 while his team was going into Sunday Singles down 10-6 too……… worked well for him

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JJ

Sep 29, 2018 at 2:06 pm

Us team needs someone with a pulse to get fired up .. I have no issues with Spieth doing that.. I actuallly love it!!! Hopefully it wakes up The is team and get fired up a bit..

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- brett
  
  Sep 29, 2018 at 2:43 pm
  
  Men play golf….. women hate men….
  
  Reply Report comment

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