OPINION: Why Postman Poulter Will Need To Defy History To Deliver

Nicknamed The Postman, Ian Poulter has an extraordinary Ryder Cup record, but in recent years it has been becoming more ordinary, What can Europe expect from him at Whistling Straits?

Postman Ian Poulter

Ian Poulter has an extraordinary Ryder Cup record, but recently it has been becoming more ordinary. What can Europe expect from him at Whistling Staits?

Europe has had three talismanic players in the Ryder Cup – Seve, Monty, and The Postman, Ian Poulter.

Postman Ian Poulter Ryder Cup

Poults, Seve and Monty: three European Ryder Cup icons. Credit: Getty Images

The Poulter who strides down the Ryder Cup fairways is a different beast to the one who does so on the fairways of the European and PGA Tours, Seve and Monty seemed different, too, but this was always the same Seve and Monty, just viewed through a different lens.

It is the Ryder Cup that has made Poulter seem an extraordinary golfer.

But then, his whole relationship with the Ryder Cup is extraordinary.

He has performed so well in it, yet rarely has he performed well enough to have actually qualified for it.

Only twice, in fact, and not since 2008.

Of his seven appearances, five have been through wildcards.

In 2012 he won all four of his matches.

He was 36 years of age and his Cup record stood at 16 wins and three losses; his world ranking at 26.

But since 2012 Poulter has won only one tournament.

He has also only won two of his own seven matches in the Ryder Cup in that period.

His world ranking is now 50. At his best, it had been five.

Seve the player took his leave of the Ryder Cup in 1995.

The great golfing conjurer had by then lost the ability to conjure up the points that he once had for his side.

In his final two Ryder Cups, his seven matches had brought more points to America than to his own team.

His final action as a player was to shake Tom Lehman’s hand after a 4&3 defeat in the lead singles match.

Monty plodded and frowned his way through eight Ryder Cups.

In his final appearance, in 2006, aged 43, his contribution was 2pts from four games towards the team’s record-equalling 18½ to 9½ victory.

This may seem harsh, but in the games Monty was involved in, Europe drew 2-2; in the others it won 16½ to 7½.

We do not know for sure that this will be Poulter’s last time out as a player.

But he admits it will his last in the States.

In four years he will be 49 and quite possibly captain.

Will The Postman Ian Poulter deliver at Whistling Straits?

Cold-hearted historical precedent suggests no.

Roderick Easdale

Contributing Writer Roderick is the author of the critically acclaimed comic golf novel, Summer At Tangents. Golf courses and travel are Roderick’s particular interests. He writes travel articles and general features for the magazine, travel supplement and website. He also compiles the magazine's crossword. He is a member of Trevose Golf & Country Club and has played golf in around two dozen countries. Cricket is his other main sporting love. He is also the author of five non-fiction books, four of which are still in print: The Novel Life of PG Wodehouse; The Don: Beyond Boundaries; Wally Hammond: Gentleman & Player and England’s Greatest Post-War All Rounder.