Lee Westwood has called upon his European team-mates not to rely on Ian Poulter throughout the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles next week.
The Englishman once again captured the hearts of the European fans when he started the ‘Miracle at Medinah’ in 2012. Poulter and team-mate Rory McIlroy birdied the last five holes to beat Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson in the Saturday afternoon fourballs.
He then continued his fine form to beat Webb Simpson in the singles before his momentum passed through the team and Europe sealed a dramatic win in Chicago.
Poulter currently holds the record for top points scorer in the last three Ryder Cups, but Westwood insists his team can’t afford to depend on him too much.
He said: “I think it’s a lot to ask of him to do the same as he did last time. He turned the whole momentum of the Ryder Cup around on that Saturday night, so let’s not put too much pressure on him with that, but certainly he seems to be able to raise his game for a Ryder Cup.”
Westwood himself has been fine-tuning his preparations ahead of the tournament.
He has lost 23 pounds in the last six weeks after starting a gruelling gym schedule as he tries to give himself an advantage before the competition.
Captain Paul McGinley picked Westwood as one of his final cards despite his recent form. He has missed four cuts in succession a few weeks ago, but he has rediscovered his form ahead of the event in Scotland.
Europe are the heavy favourites at odds of 1.52, while USA are 2.58 to win back the Ryder Cup.
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