Poulter: all 12 players for Europe are marked men in Ryder Cup

Ian Poulter relishes the challenge of the Ryder Cup more than any golf tournament in the world, including the major championships. And he left little doubt on Wednesday how badly he wants to win. “We are all good friends, both sides of the pond,” Poulter said. “But there’s something about Ryder Cup which kind of intrigues me, how you can be great mates with somebody, but boy, do you want to kill them in Ryder Cup. It’s great. I mean, it’s passion like I’ve never seen before. I love it. I love that chance to be able to go out there and beat one of your mates.” This is the fourth Ryder Cup for Poulter. Two of his three losses were to Tiger Woods. Poulter dismisses the idea that Rory McIlroy is a marked man at Medinah because he is No. 1 in the world and a two-time major champion. The Englishman believes all 12 players on the European team have a bulls-eye on the back of their uniforms. The difference is Poulter is only too happy to show off the target. The louder it gets, the more he enjoys it. So when it was suggested that Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal might asked his players to tone down their celebrations to keep the American crowd from getting riled up, Poulter’s eyes bugged out. “Are you kidding me? No. For real? It’s Ryder Cup. Hell, no,” Poulter said. “I’ve always got a bulls-eye on my back. That’s fine. I’ve won seven of my last eight points. But we’re all marked men. They want to beat us really badly. But you know what? We want to beat them just as badly.” ‘RANKINGs NO USE’ Being the top ranking player in the world will mean nothing when the action gets underway in the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on Friday, Rory McIlroy believes. The 23-year-old Northern Irishman goes into what will be his second appearance in the biennial team clash between Europe and the United States having been branded by Jim Furyk as “a marked man.” That stems from his status as the new king of world golf, sealed in a tremendous last few weeks by winning three out of four tournaments, including his second major at the US PGA Championship. Taking his (curly mop) scalp in the foursomes and fourballs (where he is expected to be paired once more with Graeme McDowell) or in Sunday’s closing singles, would be a huge boost for US hopes. But, asked if higher expectations should be placed on him due to his ranking, McIlroy was in no doubt. “No, not at all,” he said. “This week I’m not the No. 1 player in the world; I’m one person in a 12 man team, and that’s it. It’s a team effort. There’s 12 guys all striving towards the same goal. I’m just part of that.”