In a parallel universe in which LIV Golf had not obliterated the entire landscape of male professional golf, Ian Poulter would very likely have been preparing to captain Europe in this month’s Ryder Cup in New York.
As Poulter told Telegraph Sport recently, until he and Phil Mickelson both jumped ship to the Saudi-funded circuit three years ago, the word was that these two heavyweights of the biennial encounter would front up against each other at Bethpage Black. Yet, courtesy of bans and ostracisation, that plan was ditched – much to Poulter’s chagrin.
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Instead, however, the blue-and-gold giant-killer is still pitching himself against the Americans on their own turf – but now as a motivator and the father of a member of the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup side who will, this weekend, try to lower the Stars and Stripes at one of the country’s most revered layouts.
Poulter snr has addressed the visitors in the build-up at Cypress Point in California and, as the architect of the 2012 “Miracle of Medinah” – the last time Team USA were defeated on their own soil – he was well placed to explain to 20-year-old Luke, and his nine team-mates, just what it will take to prevail on Sunday.
Ian Poulter celebrates during Europe’s remarkable fightback in the 2012 Ryder Cup – Getty Images/Mike Ehrmann
The amateurs took plenty from the pep talk and, for Luke, this was most definitely not a case of “embarrassing dad”.
“My father never played a Walker Cup but he obviously has Ryder Cup knowledge, which is pretty similar to this,” Luke said. “It’s amazing to see his passion and hear what it meant to him. It gives me inspiration to try and follow in his footsteps.”
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Luke has already enjoyed a spectacular week on the Monterey Peninsula, even before the two-day event begins on Saturday. He made his first hole-in-one in practice on Wednesday and the Florida State University student looks to be one of captain Dean Robertson’s main weapons in the mission to win in the US for the first time in 24 years.
Ian Poulter will be supporting his son over the two days of competition – Getty Images/David Cannon
Luke Donald – who will lead Europe in Bethpage – played on that victorious 2001 side in Georgia and has acknowledged that it would be fillip for his men if Robertson’s lads can beat the odds.
“Being able to talk to Ian about the Ryder Cup and his experiences, having the chance to ask him questions and what it means and how to play these events, how to deal with the pressure has been so important,” said Tyler Weaver, GB&I’s highest-ranked player. Niall Shiels Donegan concurred. “Dinner with Ian was really special,” the Scot said. “Obviously, he’s done a lot in team golf, and it was pretty cool to get some lessons from him.”
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Naturally, the Americans are huge favourites, but as their captain, Nathan Smith, said, “I think this is one of their best teams I’ve seen in a while”.
The contest is made up of four foursome matches on each morning, with eight singles games on Saturday afternoon and 10 singles after lunch on Sunday.
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