Ryder Cup: Tiger Woods has got Ian Poulter purring
IAN POULTER could barely contain his excitement yesterday as he prepared to face Tiger Woods in this morning’s fourballs at Celtic Manor.
Poulter, who enjoyed a superb Ryder Cup two years ago at Valhalla, winning four points out of five, will partner Ross Fisher against world No1 Woods and world No4 Steve Stricker in the third set of fourballs out today.
A couple of years ago, Poulter said: “The problem is I haven’t played to my full potential yet but when that happens it will just be me and Tiger.”
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It was a statement widely derided at the time, bearing in mind Woods’ 14 Majors compared to Poulter’s none and Woods responded by calling Poulter the “unofficial world No2”.
Yesterday, Poulter did not hold back on his enthusiasm for the match-up. “If ever there was a match you are going to want to play, it is their two best players. They are two world-class players,” he said.
“It is going to be one hell of a match and I cannot wait. The crowd is going to be electric and the roar on the first tee will be sensational. I cannot wait to hear it and I cannot wait to get pumped for it.
“The electricity is going to be huge and it is going to be an incredible match. I will be revving up the crowd for sure when those putts go in.
“I have got a point to prove. To be on the losing side two years ago was not enjoyable, even though I played pretty well. I certainly would like to go out this time and prove this European side is as strong as ever.”
Poulter praised his playing partner Fisher, whose long hitting off the tee could prove crucial.
“We have played together quite a bit and we performed pretty well at the last World Cup,” he said. “It was an automatic match-up for us. I like the way we complement each other.”
Niall Hickman