THE POSTMAN ALWAYS DELIVERS

Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter opens up about his journey and experiences in golf’s greatest event

- KIT ALEXANDER

Ian Poulter lives and breathes the Ryder Cup. His performances in the biennial match have defined his career and made him a hero for Europeans – and a villain for many Americans. He’s been an integral part of Team Europe for nearly two decades and the star of many of the incredible moments that have lit up the event in that time. The Englishman’s passion and energy inspire teammates and fans alike, and he always delivers when his continent needs him. Here, ‘The Postman’ discusses his amazing journey in the Ryder Cup...

Why do you think you’ve performed so well in the Ryder Cup?

One of my biggest memories is going to the Ryder Cup as a 15-year-old and really loving what it meant from a fan perspective. Being a kid who loved sport, and team sport, I absolutely loved the team atmosphere. I just said to myself ‘I need to make this Ryder Cup team, I want to be a Ryder Cup player, I want to be inside the ropes. I don’t want to be watching it from outside. I want to make it something I enjoy, I love, and I do to the best of my ability’. That’s really how I look back upon what took me to wanting to be a Ryder Cup player.

Your first match was a fourball alongside Darren Clarke against Tiger Woods and Chris Riley in 2004. What was it like starting off against Tiger in America?

I was extremely nervous. Bernhard Langer asking us to sit out the Friday was difficult and just built the anxiety, so when it was time to go and play, it happened to be against Tiger and Chris. Obviously that was going to be a very tough match for me.