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SHEBOYGAN, Wisconsin – Europe have won four of five and nine of the last 12 Ryder Cups, but the Americans, with eight of the world’s top 10 players on their roster, are 2-1 favorites to win at Whistling Straits this week, according to Caesars Sportsbook.
Englishman Ian Poulter, one of the main reasons for Europe’s success over the past decade, wouldn’t want it any other way.
“I imagine [winning on American soil] is much more difficult, and it doesn’t happen that often, even though we had the upper hand, ”said Poulter. “I guess it’s just nicer. The course configuration is obviously heavily weighted this week [to] in the United States, as opposed to the way we rearrange things in Europe, so I guess it’s all against us.
“When you have that, when you can come in as an underdog, when you can turn the tide and come out victorious, it means a little bit more.”
Poulter, 45, has been one of the Ryder Cup’s most successful players over the past decade, with 15 points from 22 appearances. He is 14-6-2 in his career and has never lost a game. His ability to earn points has earned him the nickname “The Postman” from European fans because, well, he still delivers.
“I hate to lose,” Poulter said. “When you play match play, you know what to do when you play on the first hole. You can control a match. You can dictate a match. You can play certain strokes to try to put pressure on your opponent.
“You can’t really do that in stroke play unless it’s limited to the last nine and you’re really out of the way of the rest of the field. It’s just a fun game of chess, to be honest, to take advantage of what it means, that you’re under pressure from the start. It just doesn’t happen in stroke play. It’s kind of like you are making your way through the tournament, but that’s the mentality nine Sundays every time you go for it. “
This will be Poulter’s seventh Ryder Cup appearance – and the fifth time he’s been selected with the captain’s pick. His choice was criticized by some golf fans in England, who thought 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose was more worthy.
But captain Padraig Harrington’s decision is hard to dispute. Poulter has been on the winning side five times in his previous six Ryder Cup appearances – and has inspired many American players and fans with confidence and emotion along the way.
“I’m sure I got bored a lot,” Poulter said. “I mean, my percentage has been really good, for me, and not for the guys I’ve played against, so I’m sure it’s pretty frustrating to be receiving that.”
This may be the last time Poulter competes in a Ryder Cup, at least on American soil. If he doesn’t make the Ryder Cup as a player at Rome in 2023, he could become an assistant captain and then lead the European squad at Bethpage in 2025.
Either way, Poulter is going to enjoy trying to defeat the Americans once again on their soil.
“It’s nice,” Poulter said. “I like to play putts and win games. It’s been a great race. I’m never going to apologize for that. That’s the way to play match play.”
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