Ryder Cup: It's all about positive thinking, says Ian Poulter
Last Updated: 23/09/14 11:04am
Ian Poulter, the hero of Medinah, believes it is the power of positive thinking that helps him perform at his peak in the Ryder Cup.
The 38-year-old Englishman single-handedly turned around Europe’s fortunes in Illinois two years ago as the visitors recovered from 4-10 down to win 14½ - 13½.
He won all four of his matches including an amazing second-day fourball in which he birdied each of the last five holes to help him and Rory McIlroy beat Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson by a single hole.
Speaking to Tim Barter, golf commentator for Sky Sports, Poulter explained his psychology for putting in matchplay golf.
He said: “I like the mentality. When you’re putting, if you hole the putt you win the hole and if you do make it you put your opponent under pressure.
“Don’t think about anything else because, if I’m going to run it three-feet past, then I’m going to go ahead and hole that anyway.
“I don’t think about what if.”
Momentum
Poulter made his Ryder Cup debut in 2004, but failed to qualify for the match two years later, before returning in 2008 and he has not missed a contest since.
This week at Gleneagles he represents Europe for a fifth time and he admits he has always been competitive.
He added: “Dad wanted to be a footballer. He told me ‘don’t play to take part, play to win’ and he didn’t tell me once, he told me a hundred-thousand times.
“I want to win at everything I do and it never left me.”
And two of his former skippers believe he is the perfect Ryder Cup competitor.
Colin Montgomerie, captain in 2010, said: “He gives belief to everyone he’s playing with.
“And if you watch that scoreboard and Poulter’s name goes up in blue, it brings momentum to the rest of his team.
“And I’d throw him out first in the singles. It’s like your best penalty-taker, get him out there first. Argentina do it – (Lionel) Messi scores and it gives you momentum. Poulter’s our Messi.”
Bernhard Langer, his first skipper 10 years ago, said: “He’s a fiery competitor. It’s refreshing how excited he gets and it brings the best out of him.”
Poulter's Ryder Cup record: Played - 15; Won -12; Lost - 3; Success Rate - 80%
Watch all the build-up and live action on Sky Sports dedicated Ryder Cup Channel .
