Tuesday 30 September 2014 17:15, UK
Ian Poulter has revealed that one of the keys to Europe's success at the Ryder Cup was players keeping their egos in check.
Poulter had been an inspirational figure over the previous three contests and arrived at Gleneagles on the back of a remarkable run of 11 wins in 12 matches.
But the 38-year-old played a low-key role last week as he struggled for form, losing his opening fourballs match 5&4 alongside Stephen Gallacher before partnering Rory McIlroy to a half with Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker on Saturday morning.
Poulter was omitted from the foursomes line-up and he continued to look out of sorts during as erratic singles clash with Webb Simpson, although he did manage to birdie the last hole to snatch another half.
"There are no egos that week, it's about holding that Ryder Cup trophy," said Poulter. "Everybody in this team would have wanted to play five times.
"You're a player, you want to be on the golf course, you don't want to be rested, but we knew what we had to do and we knew we had a strong enough team to be able to win that trophy.
"It's about winning the Ryder Cup, it isn't about personal records.
"Yes everybody wants to play, but the master plan was to play everybody on the first day, keep as many people fresh as possible, only fatigue a couple of players but those players could take it and therefore we would come out victors at the end of the week."
Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy were the only European players to feature in all five sessions as Paul McGinley kept fatigue to a minimum, and Poulter was delighted to see the Irishman's selection policy paid handsome dividends.
"That was one of Paul's ideas, make sure only a couple of guys are going to go five times," Poulter added. "That was absolutely critical that he kept guys chomping at the bit to get going."
Poulter's defeat to impressive rookies Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth on Friday morning was his heaviest in his five Ryder Cup appearances.
But he was also disappointed to hear of his beloved Arsenal suffering defeat to Southampton in the Capital One Cup just as former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delivering his address to the team.
"He had a little pop at me," Poulter added. "He took great enjoyment out of Arsenal losing as he was standing there in front of us.
"I was watching the results come through as he was talking and I said to him 'You know Arsenal lost?' and he looked at me and started laughing. I'm not going to get any sympathy as an Arsenal fan from Alex Ferguson.
"He was great to listen to. He has managed to win some obscene number of trophies, you have to respect people in that situation.
"If he isn't the best manager he's one of the top three ever. You have to respect that, being an Arsenal fan doesn't matter. We're European, this is the Ryder Cup week, Alex Ferguson is speaking, you sit there and listen. Fair play to Paul for bringing him in.
"It hasn't been a good 2014 for me and I'm the first one to say that. I've had my niggles but I have a big heart. I wanted to play in this Ryder Cup. It didn't work out with Stevie on the first day, we couldn't get it going and it was a real shame.
"I made a contribution on Saturday morning which was key, chipping in at the right time (on the 15th hole of a fourball match against Fowler and Walker) when it looked like they were going two up with three to play.
"I didn't have my best but there was still that little bit of sparkle in there and enough to somehow make sure I made a contribution."
Poulter also paid a glowing tribute to the galleries over the week at Gleneagles, congratulating the fans for being sporting towards the opposition.
He tweeted: "The fans at Gleneagles were so respectful. Amazing to play in front of. Loud passionate but with respect for all players."
