With the Ryder Cup set to begin on the 30th September, simple maths tells us that the prestigious competition is just slightly short of four months away – leaving the future of Poulter’s Ryder Cup return in the balance of his recovery time.
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Ian Poulter’s hopes of securing automatic qualification for the European team at this year’s Ryder Cup appear to have been ended by a foot injury.
“Right now, rest and rehab take priority”.
One consolation for Poulter is that he still has the opportunity to be at Hazeltine as one of Clarke’s five vice-captains.
The 40-year-old Poulter has been suffering from arthritic problems in his right foot and missed his last two cuts on the PGA Tour. “I look forward to resuming a full schedule as soon as I am able”. Unfortunately, he continues to be in pain whilst walking and practicing.
Poulter is best-known for his exploits in the Ryder Cup, having compiled a very impressive 12-4-2 record in five appearances, during one of which he played a starring role in the famous ‘Miracle of Medinah’ comeback in 2012.
Clarke added Padraig Harrington, Thomas Bjorn and Paul Lawrie to his backroom team last week, but revealed he would appoint two further vice-captains at a later date. “This will give him the best chance of returning to the game sooner and preventing further deterioration of the affected joint”.
A 5&4 fourballs defeat in partnership with Stephen Gallacher was Poulter’s heaviest in the Ryder Cup and he and McIlroy could only manage a half with Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker on Saturday.
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Poulter did win all three of his matches in the EurAsia Cup in January, but is now 85th in the world rankings and has not won a tournament since the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2012.
