Rivals aim to tame nerves in pursuit of Ryder Cup

MANILA, Philippines — The Ryder Cup won’t be won or lost on the first tee at Whistling Straits on Friday, but that doesn’t change the heart-hammering intensity as Europe and America’s best go toe-to-toe for golf’s coveted trans-Atlantic trophy.

Ian Poulter is one of the 12 Europeans aiming to hang on to the Cup they captured in France in 2018 against a US team stacked with nine of the world’s top 11 players.

Europe’s talisman – unbeaten in Ryder Cup singles – said his synapses would be firing long before he stepped in front of the crowd, partnering with Rory McIlroy in the last of four morning foursomes matches against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.

“When the alarm goes in the morning,” Poulter said of when the nerves would start.

“You know it’s coming. It’s been building all week. It’s exciting. It’s a nervy atmosphere to be in.

“It’s great fun. It really is, from the moment you kind of walk out your tunnel to getting that tee peg and attempting to put the ball on the tee, it’s a pretty fun ride.”

Europe have won nine of the last 12 editions of the biennial match play event, including three of the past six on US soil.

They’re counting on experience and match play savvy to carry them through against a US team stacked with nine of the world’s top 11 players.

The first match of the contest, delayed one year by the coronavirus pandemic, pits Americans Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth against Spanish compatriots Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia.