Life's an itch for Poulter as British golf star reveals: I'm allergic to grass!

By Chris Cutmore for MailOnline Updated: 16:58 EST, 9 March 2011

Ian Poulter can offer a novel excuse after he reliquished his WGC Match Play Championship title last month with a first-round defeat - he is allergic to grass.

For a sport played entirely on grass, such an allergy would seem a debilitating handicap - rather like a footballer allergic to leather, a jockey allergic to horses, or a darts player allergic to beer.

But Poulter saw the funny side of his affliction by posting on Twitter: 'Just being seen, 64 different allergies I'm being tested for. Will be interesting to see. My back is itching like crazy already', before adding: 'So funny I'm allergic to every type of grass apart from 1 quality effort that. And All trees apart from 3. Chuffed to pieces'.

Don't get too close! Ian Poulter has a rather unfortunate allergy for a golfer...

Don't get too close! Ian Poulter has a rather unfortunate allergy for a golfer...

Poulter also posted a picture of 'the list of grasses I'm allergic to' (below).

Although a pain in the grass, his recent diagnosis appears not to have hindered his career to date, however.

Poulter, in 13th place in the latest golf world rankings, has made hay on tour, claiming 13 professional wins including the prestigious World Match Play crown in 2010. His last win came as recently as last November at the Hong Kong Open. 

Unfortunate: Poulter reveals his affliction and a list of grasses he is allergic to (below)

Pain in the grass: Poulter reveals his affliction on Twitter (above) and shares with his fans a list of the grasses he has been told he is allergic to (below)

Itchy: Poulter's list of grasses he is allergic to

The Ryder Cup star is in action this week at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral's Blue Monster course in Florida, where he tees off alongside up-and-coming American stars Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson - a pair of big hitters who like to give the ball a good mow.

Poulter hails from Hertfordshire but is now based in the Sunshine State. Clearly he does not long for the green, green grass of home.


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