No sooner had a foot injury placed Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter’s participation in this September’s match in Hazeltine in doubt than skipper Darren Clarke made his move.
Clarke has made Poulter his fourth vice-captain to keep the Englishman – a star performer in the five outings he’s played in – part of Team Europe as they seek to regain the Cup for a record fourth time in succession.
Poulter’s participation was already in doubt because of his poor form, although Clarke may have been convinced to have used a wildcard on the charismatic Englishman because of his unapproached past record in the event, with 12 wins and two halves from 18 games played.
However the need for surgery on a foot problem announced last week meant that it was unlikely Poulter was going to be ready to play in any case, prompting Clarke to swiftly add him to the list of assistants he started last week by the appointment of Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington and Scot Paul Lawrie.
“I am absolutely delighted to name Ian as my fourth Vice Captain for the match at Hazeltine,” said Clarke. “Ian’s Ryder Cup record speaks for itself and stands comparison with anyone in the history of this great contest. It goes without saying what a vital presence he will be in our team room come September.
“I picked Ian as a wild card for Europe’s EurAsia Cup team in January and while he delivered on the golf course with three wins out of three, I also saw first-hand his influence off the golf course, especially amongst the younger players who were experiencing team match play golf for the first time. When he spoke, everyone listened, and the same will be the case at Hazeltine.
“I could not be happier with the way our backroom team is shaping up. To have announced players of the calibre and stature of Thomas Bjørn, Padraig Harrington and Paul Lawrie ten days ago and now to add Ian Poulter to that mix is tremendous, not just for me personally, but for the whole of Europe.”
Poulter’s record is underpinned by his performance at Medinah in 2012, when team colleague Lee Westwood proposed “a Poulter wildcard” in future matches to ensure he would be picked.
With Europe trailing 10-4 on the second day and seemingly down and out, Poulter rallied with an incredible run of five birdies in a row to close out his Saturday afternoon fourball match with Rory McIlroy against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson.
That was the catalyst for Europe to rally for the famous Miracle at Medinah, and he added a singles win over Webb Simpson for a perfect record over the weekend as Europe stormed back to retain the Cup.
Poulter’s chances of making the team vanished when he announced last week that a troublesome arthritic joint injury in his right foot will as force him to take a four-month break from competitive golf.
“Everyone who knows me knows how much The Ryder Cup means, having given me memories to savour over the past 12 years and created friendships that will last a lifetime,” he said.
“Therefore when it became clear, given my current foot condition, that I would not be in a position to try and qualify for the team for a sixth time this year or indeed be able to justify a wild card pick, I was truly honoured and delighted to be asked by Darren to be a Vice Captain.
“The best moments of my career have come when I have been wearing the blue and gold crest of Europe on my chest, knowing at the same time that the contest means so much to every European player and to every European fan, either in the crowd or watching back home on television.
“Darren shares that same passion and he knows I will be there to assist him and the 12 players who will line up at Hazeltine in any way I can.
“We have a tremendous record in The Ryder Cup in recent times, having played with passion, desire and commitment. It is something we should be proud of and, rest assured, I will do everything in my power to maintain that intensity and help Europe’s quest to retain the trophy.”
In total, Bjørn, Harrington, Lawrie and Poulter have 16 Ryder Cup appearances to their names between them. Clarke will add his fifth and final vice captain later this summer.