The Players: Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Tyrrell Hatton part of Ian Poulter's 'muppets' table

"What a bunch of muppets," says Ian Poulter (77), after himself, Henrik Stenson (85), Rory McIlroy (77) and Tyrrell Hatton (76) try to laugh off a tough opening day at The Players Championship; Watch live coverage from TPC Sawgrass on Sky Sports The Players

By Keith Jackson

Ian Poulter pokes fun at himself and Ryder Cup team-mates Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Henrik Stenson on social media after the quartet post a combined 29-over during the opening round of The Players

Ian Poulter saw the lighter side after a bad day for himself, Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Henrik Stenson after the quartet were a combined 29 over par at TPC Sawgrass.

Poulter posted a video during lunch in the players' lounge with Hatton and McIlroy looking equally sheepish, while Stenson had just left the table after reflecting on opening The Players Championship with a shocking 13-over 85 that included six sixes and a seven!

Not that his Ryder Cup team-mates were much better! McIlroy put two balls in the water at the 18th and ran up an eight in his 79, with Poulter carding a 77 and Hatton, the current world No 8, handing in a 76.

With Stenson departed, the remaining trio looked a little shell-shocked having endured a torrid time on the Stadium Course, but Poulter seemed determined to laugh off the experience.

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"We've got a hell of a lunch table here in the players' lounge," he said as he introduced a short video on his social media platforms, panning around to Hatton and McIlroy.

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"Tyrrell has decided to sit down and join Rory and I. So collectively, the four people sat at this table; myself, Rory, Henrik, who's just left, and Tyrrell ... 29 over!

"What a bunch of muppets!"

Also See:

Watch the video above to see Ian Poulter's abrupt summation of a bad day for a quartet of Ryder Cup stars at Sawgrass. Live coverage of The Players Championship continues on our dedicated channel - Sky Sports The Players.

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