When you think of the Ryder Cup, you think of Ian Poulter.
The Englishman is a gifted golfer who takes it to another level when he represents Europe in the Ryder Cup. His passion is infectious, and it's almost worth watching for Poulter alone.
So last week's news that Poulter was injured, and already out of the Ryder Cup running was devastating. It came almost as Darren Clarke named his European vice-captains, so the thought was that there would just be a Poulter shaped hole at proceedings later this year.
But no longer, as Clarke has managed to get the most passionate man in golf to the tournament. Clarke has given Poulter the fourth vice-captain role, and Poulter released a statement:
Everyone who knows me knows how much The Ryder Cup means, having given me memories to savour over the past 12 years and created friendships that will last a lifetime.
Therefore when it became clear, given my current foot condition, that I would not be in a position to try and qualify for the team for a sixth time this year or indeed be able to justify a wild card pick, I was truly honoured and delighted to be asked by Darren to be a Vice Captain.
The best moments of my career have come when I have been wearing the blue and gold crest of Europe on my chest, knowing at the same time that the contest means so much to every European player and to every European fan, either in the crowd or watching back home on television.
Now is as good a time as any to remember Poulter's heroics at Medinah in 2012.
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Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
