Injured Ian Poulter ready for new role

Ian Poulter already can feel his heart pumping a little faster and his eyes getting a little wider, two indications that the Ryder Cup is almost here. There’s just one difference this time. His hands will be on the wheel of a golf cart at Hazeltine instead of on a putter.

Poulter, the European that Americans love to hate in the Ryder Cup, was having his worst and most painful season when he shut it down in late May because of an arthritic joint in his right foot that made it difficult to walk, much less practice.

It took three days for Darren Clarke to make him a vice captain.

“The role is a big one,” Poulter said Tuesday. “As a player, you’re sheltered from what goes on behind the scenes because you don’t have much time to think about what’s going on apart from playing golf. That role has changed significantly. I’m going to be experiencing something very new.”

Poulter sees his role, along with the other four assistants, as helping Clarke wherever needed later this month. More than anything, he figures he will be most useful working with the six rookies on the European team.

His nickname is The Postman because he always delivered points — 14 times in 18 matches over five appearances for Europe.

He became part of Ryder Cup lore when he made five straight birdies to win a fourballs match at Medinah in 2012 that sparked Europe’s shocking comeback.

The image of Poulter at a Ryder Cup starts with his eyes, which seem to be on the verge of popping out of their sockets.

“Americans love someone that fights to the death, and that’s something I’ve certainly given to Team Europe through the years,” he said.