Rory McIlroy backs Ian Poulter to be part of European set-up at Ryder Cup
Saturday 4 June 2016 20:48, UK
Rory McIlroy fully expects Ian Poulter to be a part of the European backroom team at the Ryder Cup later this year.
Poulter is unlikely to make the team as a player after he announced on Friday that he faces up to four months on the sidelines as he undergoes treatment on an arthritic joint in his right foot.
The English veteran has had a remarkable impact on the Ryder Cup in his five appearances, winning 13 points out of a possible 18 and being the driving force behind Europe's sensational comeback in the Miracle at Medinah in 2012.
But he has slipped to 85th in the world rankings and is without a win since 2012, and McIlroy believes Poulter's injury has saved Darren Clarke from a tough decision when he comes to consider his three captain's picks for Hazeltine.
"For Poults, it's obviously tough, I didn't even know that he was struggling with his foot up until this point," said McIlroy. "I knew he hadn't been playing his best, but it's tough to miss four months when it's a Ryder Cup year, and that's the event that he wants to play in more than anything else.
"But if anything, it sort of makes Darren Clarke's job a little bit easier because Poults was in a position where he might not have qualified for the team, but it's tough not to include him. Even if he wasn't playing his best, it might have put Darren in a difficult spot.
"But because of the injury, that might not be the case now. In a way, it makes Darren's life a little bit easier," added McIlroy, who insists that Poulter can still have a huge influence on the team if Clarke opts to appoint him as an assistant captain.
Asked if he expected Poulter to be at Hazeltine, McIlroy replied: "I do. I think having Poults as a part of the team, he's been such a stalwart for us over the last few Ryder Cups, that it would be weird not to have him there.
"If he can't be there as one of the 12 playing, hopefully, he's there as a vice captain. He's always good fun and good to be around in the team room and the locker room. If he couldn't be there playing, I'd love to see him there as a vice captain."
