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Struggling Poulter veers from ridiculous to sublime

The famous Ian Poulter Ryder Cup celebration gets its first airing at Gleneagles © Getty Images

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Whisper it: Ian Poulter has not played well at this year's Ryder Cup. But he showed glimpses of the magic he often reserves for this competition as he and Rory McIlroy rallied to rescue a half against Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler in Saturday morning's fourballs.

Poulter, Europe's talisman, played as bad as he ever has in this competition as he - in his own words - "took a butt-kicking" alongside Stephen Gallacher in the Friday morning fourballs. And he did not play much better on Saturday, where, after two opening birdies, he was carried by McIlroy for the remainder of the front nine.

ESPN got a first-hand account of just how badly he was playing at nine when, while standing in the media area way right of the fairway, Poulter's ball suddenly landed just metres away. It was so deep, you had to stand directly over the ball to see it.

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He did well to pop out onto the short stuff, but then sprayed his third left of the green from around 150 yards. McIlroy, of course, was on in two and with 15 feet for eagle, despite the added weight on his shoulders.

It became a bit too much for the world No.1 after the turn - and their American opponents took advantage. Walker, playing in his first Ryder Cup, poured home birdies at 11 and 13 to turn 1-down into 1-up.

It was around this time that the foursomes pairings were announced - and, like Friday, it was confirmed Poulter would sit out the afternoon session.

Perhaps - just perhaps - captain Paul McGinley, who was following this match for the majority of the back nine, had a word in Poulter's ear because he suddenly woke up.

And a stunning chip-in at 15 to rescue a half saw the Englishman explode into his famous Ryder Cup roar that the thousands around Gleneagles have waited a day and a half to see.

True to form, a curling 15-footer at 16 fell into the cup and the fist pump was out again. He turned to the 10-deep rows of spectators behind the green and beat the Ryder Cup logo on his chest.

Matching pars at 17 set up a tense finish at the par-5 last - and when Fowler plonked his approach to 20 feet to set up an eagle opportunity, Poulter had it all to do with his third. He didn't disappoint, pitching his ball 10 feet past the pin and spinning it back to almost within gimme range.

But anything Poulter can do, McIlroy can do better, and the Northern Irishman's chip from the deep rough to the right of the dance floor checked on the fringe and came to a stop just inches from the hole for a guaranteed birdie.

It left Fowler with the chance to win his first ever Ryder Cup match, but the young American left it short and the point was shared as the Ryder Cup moves into the afternoon foursomes with Europe leading 6.5-5.5.

"Second class post," joked Poulter, who Colin Montgomerie revealed in 2010 they called 'The Postman' because "he always delivers".

He added: "That half point today might be crucial. I kind of fell asleep in the middle there and it was nice to get the juices flowing.

"There was a lot of emotion and it's been waiting to come out. It took way too long to do so, but it was nice to do it in that fashion. At 15 it very much looked like the US were going to go 2-up with three to play. It's a funny game sometimes.

"Obviously I haven't played my best golf, so you just have to get something going. You have to stay positive and keep telling yourself that the good stuff is coming - but it took a while."

Poulter did his best to hide his disappointment that he will not be able to carry his momentum into Saturday afternoon's foursomes. "There are lots of other guys that want to go out this afternoon as well," he said. "We have 12 great players and there are no egos on this team. You have to respect the captain's decision."

In the past, the Englishman has promised to guarantee a point on Sunday. So how about this year? "I'm not telling you," he said, suggesting he might just back himself for glory in the singles.

One way or another, it promises to be an interesting ride.

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