Ian Poulter joined Justin Rose to knock off the Americans' anchor squad of Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in the final morning foursomes match. Poulter made a couple of big putts -- including ones at 14 and 16 -- to help put away the Americans 2 & 1. But when European captain Jose Maria Olazabal's afternoon pairings were revealed, Poulter -- a fiery competitor who is now 9-3 in his Ryder Cup career -- wasn't on the list.
Poulter was asked if he was surprised that he was sitting out, yet Woods -- who struggled all morning -- was being sent out again by American captain Davis Love III.
"Yeah, but he's Tiger Woods," Poulter said.
But Poulter couldn't complain about his day. Not after beating Woods.
"Delighted to finish that match off," he said. "I saw it yesterday when -- well, listening to it on stage yetserday, announcing Tiger and Stricker, kind of a little bit of a wry smile. Tiger has been two of my three defeats in this Ryder Cup format, and Justin and I were pretty pumped to get out there and kind of get that point on the board."
Every player on both teams played at least one match on Friday. For the Americans, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson sat out the afternoon, while Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, and Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar played. For the Europeans, Ryder Cup stalwarts Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia and Poulter, along with Francesco Molinari, sat out the afternoon to make room for Paul Lawrie, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer and Nicolas Colsaerts.
Poulter was asked if he was surprised that he was sitting out, yet Woods -- who struggled all morning -- was being sent out again by American captain Davis Love III.
"Yeah, but he's Tiger Woods," Poulter said.
But Poulter couldn't complain about his day. Not after beating Woods.
"Delighted to finish that match off," he said. "I saw it yesterday when -- well, listening to it on stage yetserday, announcing Tiger and Stricker, kind of a little bit of a wry smile. Tiger has been two of my three defeats in this Ryder Cup format, and Justin and I were pretty pumped to get out there and kind of get that point on the board."
Every player on both teams played at least one match on Friday. For the Americans, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson sat out the afternoon, while Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, and Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar played. For the Europeans, Ryder Cup stalwarts Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia and Poulter, along with Francesco Molinari, sat out the afternoon to make room for Paul Lawrie, Peter Hanson, Martin Kaymer and Nicolas Colsaerts.
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