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Poults eyes World Cup glory

Ryder Cup star delighted to be team up with Fisher in China

Last updated: 26th November 2008

Poulter: excited by Fisher pairing

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Ian Poulter feels that he and Ross Fisher are capable of ending England's four-year wait for success at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.

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Poulter represents his country for the second year running having finished fourth 12 months ago when he teamed up with Justin Rose in Shenzhen.

Fisher makes his debut this week but comes into the event on the back of a highly-impressive 2008 season when he won the European Open and finished sixth on the European Order of Merit.

The opening round of the World Cup will be played in a fourball format while Friday is foursomes before it goes back to fourballs on Saturday with the final round on Sunday a foursomes and Poulter, who starred at the Ryder Cup, believes he and his partner have the right blend of skills to follow in the footsteps of Paul Casey and Luke Donald who won the event for England in 2004.

"I'm happy with my golf game right now and Ross has been playing exceptionally well," said Poulter.

"I like the way Ross plays. He hits the ball a long way off the tee, which I think is great in foursomes.

"The holes that I've looked at right now, certainly with some of the par fives, will be an advantage with Ross teeing off on those holes. I'm happy with hitting three-wood, five-wood into some of those holes.

"He is also an aggressive player and that's great in four balls. I think how straight he hits it is a big bonus in foursomes, as well.

"That's why when it come down to me to pick, I looked at Ross as a guy that's been very, very steady, and someone that hits the ball a long way; that's a great mix. That's why I'm excited to be out there."

However, Poulter concedes that he and Fisher will have to be on top of their game if they are to emerge triumphant with a host of other formidable-looking pairings teeing it up in China.

Colin Montgomerie returns to defend the crown for Scotland and is this time partnered by Alastair Forsyth while Swedish duo Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson start the week as the bookies' favourites.

"There's always going to be strong pairings in this format," added Poulter.

"There are obviously a couple which stand out, Sweden being one of them. If you look at their world ranking position on paper, they are very, very strong.

"Robert (Karlsson) winning the Order of Merit and Henrik (Stenson) are going to be a very strong pairing.

"But there are a number of them. I'm pretty confident that if we go out there and have fun this week, then we are going to be in the shake up on Sunday afternoon."

For his part, Fisher admits he is 'honoured' to have been given the chance to represent England.

"I am very excited to be getting on with a guy like Ian and representing your country is a massive honour and massive thrill," he said.

"I am just looking forward to getting going and hopefully if I can bring in a few more shots, then who knows, we might finish a bit higher than last year."