Luke Poulter preaches patience in Walker Cup foursomes
No. 8-ranked amateur Luke Poulter talks to Golf Channel's Steve Burkowski about what Team GB&I needs to do to get revenge on its American counterparts at Lahinch this weekend.
Video Transcript
Back on GB&I for the second straight year.
What's it like when you, you get that call and you know you've got a chance to, to be part of something special?
Yeah, it's very special.
Any time you get to represent your country is an opportunity that, like, you'll never, never say n- obviously no to.
And yeah, playing with these boys is super special, especially this year in our home, home country.
So yeah, I'm, I'm really excited, and to have about probably 8,000 fans behind our back is gonna be very cool.
What'd you learn from last year at Cypress, the experience and everything that goes along with the Walker Cup?
Yeah, I learned a lot.
Learned a lot about my game, and, like, we don't play too much team Like, we played team golf as in college, but, like, not teams as in pairs.
So it's really cool to do that, I think.
It gives us a opportunity to play with people that we wouldn't normally play with, 'cause we're normally playing against them in college.
And yeah, to play in Against massive crowds like this is, is really cool, and it's just taken us and shown us, getting us ready for p- like, pro golf.
So yeah, it's pretty, pretty special.
Specifically, what did you learn that maybe you'll apply, as you said, with possible partnerships here this weekend?
Yeah.
Well, I have a different I will have a different partner this year, so but yeah, just staying patient out there, especially in foursomes, 'cause s- alternate shot is very difficult, and especially th- in this wind that we're gonna be playing in this week.
Yeah, just keeping everything in front of us and not going too aggressive on, onto targets.
Just, just trying to make pars.
Par's your, is your friend in, in foursomes, and I think that was the biggest key for us last year.
You're one of six back from last year's GB&I team.
How can that be an advantage?
How can that help you guys get over the finish line knowing that more than half of your team has been in the heat of the battle before?
Yeah, I think it helps.
I mean, we've been kind of showing I mean, our four guys who haven't been there are very experienced.
But yeah, just showing them a few of the ways.
And yeah, I'm, I feel I have no doubt in my mind that this team is ve- is capable of doing anything.
And yeah, I mean, it's just, this, this wind is just the biggest thing to go, but it's gonna be very brutal out there, so.
When you talk about the elements at Lahinch, you referenced the 8,000 fans expected.
How can all that come together to take down an American team on paper that many think are supposed to win?
How do you stop the streak?
I'm just hoping this crowd is very loud and we can give them some energy to, to get loud and rowdy.
I mean, the Irish fans are, are very good if not the best fans out there.
So I, I'm, I'm feeling very confident that they're gonna be behind our back heavily rooting against u- routing with us, sorry.
Yeah.
Lahinch, the weather, Mother Nature, everything that goes with it, how also is that an advantage?
Big time.
Yeah, like, I think most of the team are from Have grew up in England and, and Scotland and Ireland, so playing that has, has helped us a lot, getting used to these conditions, 'cause I mean, these aren't really conditions we play in America.
So I feel like this is definitely benefiting us a lot and, yeah, I mean, we'll, we'll see in a few days' time.
Your dad is great at match play.
What advice has he shared through the years and maybe e- even this week with you and the team?
Yeah, just same thing.
Just stay impatient out there.
There's plenty of holes.
Always keep it in front of you, especially in this, in this wind.
I mean, there's no point tryina, in my opinion, fighting against the wind.
Just let l- using the wind to your advantage.
And yeah, just going out there enjoying it.
Expectations, what are they for you and the team this week?
Winning.
That's it.
Simple.
Winning and then enjoying it.
W- I mean, we're having a great time so far.
And yeah, we need to, lift this trophy.
What's the most important thing that needs to happen for you guys to do that?
I think short game and putting, in my opinion.
If we're gonna be missing a lot of greens out there, and just, yeah, being able to knowing that if we miss the green we can get it up and down and make that par, 'cause par's gonna be a very valuable score out there.
Shaping up to be a fun weekend, Luke.
Always good to catch up.
Yep.
Thank you
