Paul Azinger responds to Ian Poulter's disgusted tweet...
Azinger and Poulter exchange text messages following comments about Tommy Fleetwood and European Tour...
Paul Azinger has told Golfweek that he and Ian Poulter have exchanged multiple text messages since the Englishman sounded out the American on Twitter for his controversial comments surrounding the European Tour during final-round coverage of the Honda Classic.
The victorious 2008 US Ryder Cup captain claimed winning tournaments on the European Tour could not be compared to winning on the PGA Tour.
Azinger was directing those comments specifically at Tommy Fleetwood, who was going in search of his first PGA Tour title despite having won five times on the European Tour, and also winning the Race to Dubai.
"These guys all know you can win all you want on that European Tour," said Azinger.
"Lee Westwood actually took offence to that yesterday. He's won twice on the PGA Tour and 44 times around the world, well it's not the PGA Tour.
"They know that and I think Tommy knows that, it puts a little more pressure on Tommy."
WATCH: GOLF FANS SHOUT ON FLEETWOOD'S BACKSWING AT FINAL HOLE
In response, Poulter raced onto Twitter to write: "I like Paul Azinger a lot and get on with him great, but Paul please do not condescend or disrespect the European Tour and our players like that.
"We have slapped your a*** in the Ryder Cup for so long. I know you captained a win but seriously that was embarrassing today."
RELATED: POULTER RIPS INTO AZINGER OVER EUROPEAN TOUR COMMENTS
Azinger has since responded to Poulter's accusation of "disrespect" by claiming he was not trying to be hostile.
"I wasn't trying to be malicious," Azinger told Golfweek. "I didn't mean to disrespect anyone. But professional golfers choke for two things - cash and prestige, and the PGA Tour has the most of both."
Fleetwood held every chance to win his maiden PGA Tour title but saw his chances sunk on the final hole when sending his second shot to the par-5 18th into the water en route to a bogey-six.
The Englishman went on to finish third and two stokes behind first-time PGA Tour winner Sungjae Im.
