He needs to improve and, ideally, qualify by right not by his usual method of Captain's pick.
Really ? Based on one competition ?
I'd rather base it on current form than some misty eyed reminiscing over what he did 4 years ago in the Ryder Cup.
He needs to improve and, ideally, qualify by right not by his usual method of Captain's pick.
Hey Phil.. Why don't you ask Good ol' Poults round for Sunday Lunch Sometime??
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It may end up being a case that Poulter will get a place for his experience. Look at the team from 2 years ago and look at how many of them are playing well. Dubuisson and Donaldson arent doing anything, neither is McDowell, neither is Westwood, neither is Bjorn. (may get a WC as already highlighted)
Garcia and Kaymer arent exactly pulling up trees either.
So that leaves Rory, Stenson and Rose.
Hey Phil.. Why don't you ask Good ol' Poults round for Sunday Lunch Sometime??
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What the heck is that pic ?
Alan partridge and his stalker isn't it?![]()
Alan partridge and his stalker isn't it?![]()
Well as the RC is 12 months away maybe it's best to judge on the form then as opposed to now and based on one tournament a year before the comp actually happens
Europe have done pretty well with selected players who have performed well in previous RC - Faldo , Monty , Seve even Harrington
Poulter has always provided moments no matter how short in RC - you can dismiss his part in the last one - his teammates and captain certainly didn't ( unbeaten in two out of three matches he played in )
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Unbeaten in 2 out of the 3 matches, you certainly know his to spin a story in your favour.
Another way of looking at it was that he got stuffed in his 1st match and ruined the confidence of his playing partner so he didn't pay again till the singles. He then got a half whilst being carried round by Rory who, in the post match interview, made a joke that it was a good job he chipped in as he needed to contribute something. Cue Poulter looking very embarrassed as they both knew the truth hurt.
Then he got a half in the singles against a man who was so traumatised and lacking in confidence after he mishit the 1st tee shot of the day I suspect you and a few other decent golfers on this board would have got at least a half against him. IMHO of course.
So one point from a possible 3, despite playing one game with the best player in the world at the time.
Yes if he has played his way in when the team is announced then fair play, he deserves to go. But please not a captains pick.
So it was Poulters fault that Gallacher had a mare as well ?! So nothing to do with the player swinging the club ?
He is exactly the type of person Europe need and want in the side at the next RC in the US
On the one hand you say how he motivates players, but on the other don't accept he doesn't motivate. He kick started the resurgence but it still needed the other players to respond. I really think you're over egging his contribution.
And he is exactly the type of player Europe need IF he's on form. He was rubbish in the run up to the last one and his form has continued since. A good Poulter is an asset but he's far from that. Tee to green he's as good as ever but his short game is shocking, including a number of shanks.
When it comes to the pairings some players just don't gel - the Poulter Gallacher pairing was the exact example of that - just didnt gel or bounce of each other - that's not Poulters fault or Gallachers fault - he still played his part and still got a point on the board
Yes he does need to sort out his short game and expect him to work on that a hell of a lot more this winter/spring without the distractions of the Masters
But I expect to see him in the line up and again getting points on the board - even if a captains pick is needed
Poulter/Gallacher was a lousy pairing. An out of form player with a rookie. What protection was there for Gallacher? I thought it at the time, and it was proven.
I'd like to see him there but absolutely only if he proves himself. If it needs to be a Captain's pick, fine providing his form has improved significantly.