Poulter: desperate to make Ryder Cup team

You're definitely going to finish a place higher than you may have done if Woods had been in the tournaments because he very rarely finishes outside the top three or five.

Ian Poulter
Quotes of the week

As one of the most colourful characters in the game, Ian Poulter would certainly bring a touch of style and flair to Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup team.

The Englishman was part of the successful 2004 European team at Oakland Hills, but is currently just outside the automatic spots in the Ryder Cup list and is by no means assured of a place at this year's event in Valhalla.

However, he knows some good performances over the next few weeks would win him a place in the side and after his first round at the European Open, he popped into the Golf Night studio to explain how keen he was to be in the team.

"I want to make the side," he said.

"2004 was just so much fun to be in the side and to be part of that great victory. It's a great adrenaline rush and gives you a great boost of confidence so I want to make sure that I make that side.

"I'm trying hard, I'm 12th on the list and I think I'm only a win away from being right on the edge of an automatic position.

"A couple of good weeks will see me fly right back up that list. I feel my game's in shape now."

Respect

Poulter also backed the choice of Nick Faldo as European captain insisting he will command great respect, particularly among the younger players in the squad.

"I think Nick will be good," he continued.

"You're going to see some younger names in the side this year and I think those were the guys that looked up to Nick when they started playing golf.

"It will be nice to have his experience in the team room and there will be a lot more experience with some of the players that have played quite a few Ryder Cups as well.

"I think it's going to be a great team this year and hopefully we can turn them over."

One of the biggest selection posers for Faldo will be whether to include Colin Montgomerie, who has served Europe so well in recent Ryder Cups.

Monty is unlikely to secure an automatic place in the side, but is starting to show some form after a second-placed finish at last week's French Open - but he admits himself he hasn't done enough to earn a wildcard pick.

Poulter is another who might be vying for one of Faldo's picks and he said the Montgomerie dilemma was a tough one for the European captain.

"I'll stay out of that debate," Poulter contined.

"It was nice to see Colin play well last week on a golf course that he's won on in the past and on current form he's doing well.

"He's going to need to play like that for the next six or eight tournaments to get himself in a position where it would make it a lot easier for Nick to pick him.

"Right now he's too far away, but Monty has been very, very good in matchplay at the Ryder Cup. It's up to Nick to make his decision."

Recovery

One man who definitely won't be plying at Valhalla is Tiger Woods who has taken the rest of the season off to recover from knee surgery.

But Poulter is still expecting the tightest Ryder Cup for years and feels Paul Azinger's American squad can still benefit from Woods' presence in the team room.

"The European guys are going to be under pressure because to win how we've won in the last few years has been pretty incredible.

"I think the way the Americans have structured their pick list with four instead of two means they're going to have a very different side with some younger guys that aren't afraid.

"It will be a lot tighter than it has been over the last couple of Ryder Cups.

"On Ryder Cup form you might say they're not going to be hurt by Tiger's absence because I don't think he's performed how everybody expects him to in Ryder Cups.

"But Tiger Woods is undoubtedly the best golfer in the world by a long, long way and to lose him and his aura from your side is a blow.

"Azinger will be a little bit concerned but I'm sure there's some guys that can step up to the plate and do a great job.

"I think Tiger will be in the American team room, just to share some of the insight that he might not want to share normally.

"It will be quite nice for them to be able to draw something out of him in those weeks."

Boost

Poulter also admits the absence of Woods from the year's two remaining majors - The Open and the USPGA Championship - is a boost for the rest of the field.

"If you look at how many majors he's won, it's probably 30 per cent of the majors he's played in," he added.

"Therefore everybody's got a much better chance and there will be a lot of people feeling quite happy going into the next two majors.

"You're definitely going to finish a place higher than you may have done if he'd been in the tournaments because he very rarely finishes outside the top three or five."