Ban the bellies, says Ian Poulter

Ian Poulter has added his voice to those calling for a ban on belly and broomhandle putters, claiming they break the rules of golf.

American Keegan Bradley created history in last summer’s US PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club, where he became the first player to win a Major using a belly putter, so called because the end of the grip is anchored against the stomach.

Now, as the Open got underway at Lytham, Poulter has called on golf’s authorities to take action.

The English Ryder Cup star said: “It states quite clearly in the rule book that the club cannot be anchored to the body.

“Well, what is the club touching, your belly button or chest, if it isn’t anchored?”

WHAT Lytham gives, Lytham tends to take back with interest. James Driscoll, second away after Barry Lane, sank a 50ft birdie putt at the par-three first to take the initial lead. Four and a half hours later, the American came in six over par on 76.

AMERICAN Brandt Snedeker warmed up for The Open with a hole-in-one on the 336-yard par-four 16th yesterday. The world No29 said: “There were only about six people out there watching me. I signed the ball and gave it to a kid.”