Wildcard Ian fired up for Europe bid
IAN POULTER says he’ll again thrive with a Ryder Cup target on his back.
The Englishman will make his seventh appearance against the United States.
Incredibly, Poulter has only qualified outright on two occasions and otherwise relied on wildcard picks.
Padraig Harrington is the latest skipper to give him a last-gasp selection but the talisman has never let any captain down and has vowed to deliver points again.
Poulter said: “Playing your way into the team takes a lot of pressure off. Being asked to join a team definitely adds a little bit of extra pressure and it’s not easy.
“We’ve had three picks
INTENSE FEELING this year and the US six. From that aspect, three of our players are going to feel under pressure and six of theirs.
“The player has to embrace it. These pressures can be pretty intense. Statistically this year, I think I’m fourth in putting and you have to hole putts at the right time.
“Ryder Cup lends itself to that. I played well at the Match Play this year. I finished high up at the WGC. I finished fourth in Scotland.
“So not only do I bring a bit of current form, but that extra bit that Paddy wants me there in the team room to inspire some of the players and be adaptable to play with many people in the team.”