• Ryder Cup

Poulter eyes Gleneagles spot to concentrate on majors

Poulter was Europe's hero during their famous comeback at Medinah © Getty Images

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Ian Poulter has targeted qualifying for the Ryder Cup before The Masters in April - so he can concentrate on his second goal for 2014 - winning his maiden major championship.

The Englishman was the only player at Medinah in 2012 to win four points, including a victory over Webb Simpson in Sunday's singles that saw Europe draw level with the US at 10-10. Jose Maria Olazabal's men went on to win 14½-13½.

And Poulter hopes to wrap up his spot at the next edition of the biennial competition as soon as possible.

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"Once you have played in one Ryder Cup you never want to miss playing in another one," Poulter, who turns 38 on Friday, told the Mirror.

"With the Scottish golf fans the atmosphere at Gleneagles is going to be fantastic. So I want to make sure I earn my place in the team as soon as possible.

"That would then free me up in time to concentrate on trying to win one of the majors. That's my goal. Instead of playing other tournaments just looking for Ryder Cup points, I could save all my energy to make sure I can prepare properly for each major."

While Poulter, currently leading the European points list for qualification, would almost certainly be guaranteed one of captain Paul McGinley's three wildcard slots after his heroics in recent Ryder Cups, he would rather make it off his own back.

"It's looking good," he added. "But you can never take anything for granted in golf so I want to tie everything up."

With huge ranking points available at the two World Golf Championships - the Match Play and Cadillac - in the next two months, Poulter has the perfect opportunity to achieve his first goal and then work on his second.

"If I can clear it all up there, then I will be free for a month to concentrate on the Masters," he said.

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