Poulter On US Rookies - "They're Going To Feel Something Different, Something They've Never Experienced Before."

Poulter On US Rookies - "They're Going To Feel Something Different, Something They've Never Experienced Before."

Ian Poulter US Rookies
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Half of Team USA's Ryder Cup side will be made up of rookies, with Ian Poulter warning that the event will be something they've never experienced before.

Poulter On US Rookies - "They're Going To Feel Something Different, Something They've Never Experienced Before."

Ian Poulter is one of the Ryder Cups most formidable players, with a record so good that he has been given the nickname 'The Postman,' due to his ability to deliver at the most pressurised moments.

With 14 wins, 6 losses and 2 halves on his record, Poulter will once again hope to play a pivotal part in Team Europe's effort to retain the trophy.

Ian Poulter US Rookies

Poulter at Medinah in 2012.(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Related: 10 Best Ryder Cup Players

As the Ryder Cup gets nearer and nearer, the 45-year-old has laid down a marker to the US team, particularly the six rookies that have made it into Team USA.

Although they may be rookies, Collin Morikawa is a two-time major winner, Xander Schauffele is the Olympic champion and Patrick Cantlay just recently won the FedEx Cup, proving that they can perform on the big stage.

"Six is a lot and they're going to find there's a different dynamic there of standing on the first tee at a Ryder Cup," Poulter said.

"They're very capable players. They've all won a big tournament and it's not that they're going to be overly intimidated, but they're going to feel something different, something they've never experienced before.

"Does that work in their favour against a more experienced team that we have? We don't know right? We can only second guess it at the minute.

See more

"All 12 of their team are in the top 21 in the world and they have eight of the world's top 10. They have a strong team on paper but it's match play and any player on his day can beat any player. And that's all we need to do.

"Match play gives up some of the most incredible results that we've seen and we will see it again in a week's time. You always see shock results. This will be no different."

Along with the six American rookies, Team Europe will have former Open champion, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland and Austrian history maker, Bernd Wiesberger, making their debuts at Whistling Straits.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x