Ian Poulter raring to go

European Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter has arrived at Gleneagles ahead of the start of the 2014 Ryder Cup

Ian Poulter
Ian Poulter is in confident mood ahead of the 2014 Ryder Cup
(Image credit: Getty Images)

European Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter has arrived at Gleneagles ahead of the start of the 2014 Ryder Cup, which gets underway on Friday

European Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter has arrived at Gleneagles ahead of the start of the 2014 Ryder Cup, which gets underway on Friday.

The Englishman, who pulled Europe almost single-handedly from the abyss at Medniah two years ago, was selected as a captain's pick by Paul McGinley earlier this month.

And the 38-year-old, who has earned legendary status in the Ryder Cup after a series of incredible performances, is chomping at the bit to get started once again.

"I am very much ready to go. It's no secret I get quite pumped for this week," Poulter told Sky Sports.

"Right now, it's about managing energy levels. There's no point getting too excited, too early. Come Thursday night I'll be pretty pumped."

Poulter has appeared in four previous Ryder Cups and his 80% win percentage is unparalleled in the modern era.

Unsurprisingly, his record has given rise to huge expectation levels - with Lee Westwood urging fans not to rely on any Poulter heroics - but the Londoner insists he can cope.

"It's been that way for the last few of them so it's not going to be any different. I'll go about my business the way I normally do and everything will be fine."

Poulter has enjoyed a three-week break from golf after failing to progress past the Deutsche Bank Championship during the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup play-offs.

"I've had three weeks off, so I've been prepping, getting nice and health. I'm ready," he added.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x