EurAsia Cup Preview: Meet The European Team

Ian Poulter had a busy end to the 2015 season, making a last-minute dash to play in the UBS Hong Kong Open, having dropped out of the world’s top 50 the week before, meaning he would not qualify for the WGC-HSBC Champions and therefore would be one short of the minimum 13 events necessary to retain his European Tour Membership.

Two years earlier Poulter was involved in an epic duel with Henrik Stenson for the Race to Dubai title, producing magnificent performances in the last three events to keep the pressure on the Swede. He finished second in the WGC-HSBC Champions, nearly successfully defending the title he won a year earlier, and then had another top five in the Turkish Airlines Open to remain in contention.

Poulter took second place in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, but it was not enough as Stenson romped to victory and was crowned European Number One. He has become known as Mr. Ryder Cup after his fearsome performances, none better than when he led Europe to a brilliant comeback victory in 2012. Poulter won four points from four at Medinah, holing five nerveless birdie putts in the last five holes in the Saturday afternoon fourball match with Rory McIlroy against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson to claim a point, then, second out in the singles, beating Webb Simpson by two holes. He also won three points from four at The Celtic Manor Resort in 2010, and in 2008 he was the leading points scorer at Valhalla with four from five. His considerable ability in match play golf also earned him the 2011 Volvo World Match Play Championship and the 2010 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Next: Lee Westwood