Notes and Quotes from the Ryder Cup
Faldo to Poulter: “I'm proud of you' – Ryder Cup
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Ian Poulter, formerly known for goofy hair, crazy clothes, and being picked against all odds and common sense by captain Nick Faldo, is just on the edge of being the hero of the 2008 Ryder Cup for the Europeans.Poulter, playing in his second Ryder Cup, has been a winner in three of his four matches, the leading point-getter on either team. It's a stunning 3-1 record for a guy who has won on the European Tour but hasn't come close on the PGA Tour.
He holed the birdie putt at the 18th for a 1-up victory over Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk, and turned to Faldo and asked, “Is this why you picked me?”
Said Faldo: “I'm proud of you. I'm so proud of you.”
* For the record, the points for all players over the first two days:
Europe
Oliver Wilson 1-0-0
Ian Poulter 3-1-0
Justin Rose 2-1-0
Henrik Stenson 1-1-1
Graeme McDowell 1-1-1
Sergio Garcia 0-1-2
Robert Karlsson 0-1-2
Lee Westwood 0-1-2
Paul Casey 0-1-1
Soren Hansen 0-1-1
Miguel Angel Jimenez 0-1-1
Padraig Harrington 0-2-1
United States
Hunter Mahan 2-0-2
Justin Leonard 2-0-1
J.B. Holmes 1-0-1
Boo Weekley 1-0-1
Phil Mickelson 1-1-2
Jim Furyk 1-1-1
Anthony Kim 1-1-1
Kenny Perry 1-1-1
Chad Campell 1-1-0
Stewart Cink 1-1-0
Ben Curtis 0-1-1
Steve Stricker 0-1-1
* In the afternoon better-ball, Europe made 28 birdies, the U.S. 25 birdies and two eagles. In the two days of Four-Balls, the teams combined for 109 birdies, three eagles in 138 total holes.
* Over the first two days, the U.S. won 20 of the par-3 holes, while Europe won 10 of the par-3s, and 34 were halved.
* All 12 members of the U.S. Team played both Friday and Saturday. The last time that happened was in 1995.
* Sixteen of the 18 holes were halved in the Sergio Garcia/Paul Casey vs. Ben Curtis/Steve Stricker Four-Balls match.
* Best stretch of holes: Robert Karlsson made seven birdies over the last 10 holes in the afternoon in Karlsson/Stenson vs. Mickelson/Mahan.
From the morning alternate shot:
* The European team of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose birdied three of the first five holes and led from the first hole on in defeating Stewart Cink/Chad Campbell, 4 and 3.
* The U.S. Team of Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry parred the first hole to take the lead and led throughout in a 3-and-1 victory over Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson.
* Comeback To Date: Europe's Henrik Stenson and Oliver Wilson rallied from 4-down after six holes, to knock off Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim, 2 and 1.
* Hunter Mahan is the 11th different partner for Phil Mickelson has had since starting with the Ryder Cup career in 1995.
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