Matsuyama apologizes for damage on green after Poulter rants on Twitter

DORAL, Fla.—Hideki Matsuyama has apologized to Ian Poulter for damaging the 13th green and not repairing it at the Cadillac Championship.

Poulter used Twitter late Friday to complain about the incident.

Poulter was playing in the group behind Matsuyama in the second round at Doral. They are paired together for Saturday’s third round.

Poulter said on Twitter that the Japanese player buried his putter in the green and a referee had to repair the damage. He referred to Matsuyama as an idiot.

Matsuyama walked down the practice range with an interpreter when he saw Poulter and apologized. Poulter explained why he thought it was wrong and then said to him, “No words,” meaning the incident was over.

Poulter’s play on the 13th was not affected. The damage was in Charl Schwartzel’s line.