September 30 2010
Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher
(will play Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker)
Q: Your reaction on your match tomorrow?
IAN POULTER: I don’t think it is any secret. We’ve played together quite a bit – obviously world cup and we performed pretty well there. It was an automatic match up for us and I cannot wait to get on the golf course. We played twice now in practice and I like the way we set up. It’s going to be an incredible match.
Q: Ross, what a great debut match for you – alongside Ian and against Tiger and Stricker.
ROSS FISHER: Yeah – it’s great. It’s a dream come true. Like Poults said we played together in the World Cup and we’ve played well together. To get out to play together is going to be great but to get that draw is – I think I can speak for both of us – is special and we are really pumped. We want to really get out there and give it to them.
Q: Ian your reaction on getting the plum tie against Tiger and Stricker?
IAN POULTER: Tiger and Striker – if ever there was a match you are going to want to play it is their best two players. Tiger being World Number One and Steve Stricker and Number Four. They are two world class players. It’s going to be a hell of a match. I cannot wait. This crowd tomorrow is going to be electric. The roar on that first tee will be sensational. I can’t wait to hear it and I can’t wait to get pumped for it. I can’t wait to give them some feedback.
Q; It really doesn’t get any better than playing Tiger on the first session of The Ryder Cup?
ROSS FISHER: IT’s pretty special. Like Poults said I think we will get this crowd on our side and the atmpsopher will be electric and it’s going to be something that I will never forget – that’s for sure.
Q: Ian, you’ve played Stricker before in Valhalla and beat him and Ben Curtis – does that give you a psychological edge?
IAN POULTER: I don’t know. We’re on home soil and that is a big enough advantage. They are going to give us some electricity. Hopefully we can respond to that and give them some good shots and something to cheer about and let’s put some blue on the board early.
Q; Ross –what does Ian bring to this partnership you saw him play the last time and the passion he showed?
ROSS FISHER: That’s exactly it – the main word: passion. His drive, his experience. He took me under his wing for the World Cup and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I wanted to get on this team and I knew Poults would make it and it feels great to be partners again. We’ve played practice rounds together and we both feel we are playing good golf. And what a dream pairing to play against – the World Number One and Steve Stricker – two great players and like Poults said let’s get blue on the board early.
Q: Ian – same to you – what does Ross bring to the partnership?
IAN POULTER: He’s great to play with. Two World Cups and lots of practice rounds together. He hits it great and hits it long and makes a load of birdies which is what you need in this format. Hopefully we go out there tomorrow and we enjoy what the atmosphere is going to bring. It’s going to be truly sensational. We’re both very up for it and we will sleep well thinking about how tomorrow is going to be.
Q: All eyes will be on your match with Tiger playing – does that help you having that support?
IAN POULTER: Sure. There’s only four groups on the course so you will have a massive crowd. Tiger obviously pulls a few people too so it is going to be noisy and it needs to be. Let’s give them what they want.
Q: Your reaction to the opening ceremony – it was some speech by Monty?
IAN POULTER: It was awesome. Monty has done the job that everyone thought he would do. He is very thoughtful and this has been well thought out from day one. I think it will be a very memorable week.
How much did ithelp knowing in advance that you were playing together?
IAN POULTER: Yeah it is great – as Rory and Graeme was an automatic pairing like Ross and I are. It’s easy to prepare when you know who your partner is going to be.
Q: How much are you now just looking forward to getting out there and taking on Tiger and Stricker.
ROSS FISHER: I just want to go back, chill out and have our last team meeting.There’s a lot of buzz in that room. There are a few inspired speeches and then a good night’s kip and go out there and give it to them tomorrow.