Fat's the way to do it

Sep 21 2008 By PA

JUSTIN ROSE hailed "the fat kid from Milton Keynes" for proving his critics wrong in the Ryder Cup at Valhalla.

Ian Poulter was a controversial wild card selection by European captain Nick Faldo, who ignored the claims of veteran Darren Clarke - twice a winner on tour this season - in favour of a player who had managed one top-10 finish since January.

But Poulter has combined with Rose to win two points out of three in Kentucky after letting slip a three-hole lead in the opening session on Friday.

Speaking after Poulter had holed a crucial par putt in their 4&3 win over Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell, Rose said: "On the 14th green I was standing behind him watching him hit his putt, and behind was a huge bank of people, and this feeling came over me.

"He probably won't thank me for saying this, but I said, 'Come on, Poults, the fat kid from Milton Keynes, knock it in.'

"I've known him from way back when, and I just had this moment come over me. My mind went back to Challenge Tour days and just how far we'd come.

"It was just an amazing moment of perspective and obviously he knocked the putt in and it was a key putt in our whole game. It swung the momentum back our way.

"That's how close our friendship is, we can see where we both came from and therefore it makes us playing the Ryder Cup together pretty special."

Poulter admitted he had been feeling the strain following his controversial selection, with many of his fellow professionals unhappy with his decision to stay in America rather than travel to Gleneagles for the final qualifying event.

"I think Ian was under a lot of pressure this week, but in some ways that doesn't phase him," added Rose, who asked to be rested from Saturday afternoon's fourballs to receive treatment on a minor wrist injury.

"I think the loss that we had the first day hurt us both because I think he sensed that had we got that first win, he would have been into the Ryder Cup and justified his place in the team immediately.

"I think he was very conscious of the fact that he needed to go out there and produce this week, otherwise he would have been in for a lot of criticism. But that's the kind of player he is.

"I knew if Ian had something to prove this week, he was going to prove it. He's got two more games to play, this afternoon and tomorrow. I expect him to do well in both those games but if he doesn't, I still think he's justified his place on this team.

"And he's done that not just on the golf course but also in the team room. The guys do embrace him. He's a good laugh, he leads the banter and he's a valuable team member."

With Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood left out of the morning foursomes, Rose and Poulter were sent out first by Faldo and responded superbly, opening up a five-hole lead after seven and holding their nerve after a late stumble.

"Nick gave us a pretty special message. He said, 'You're going out number one,' so that told us what we needed to do and what was expected," Rose added.

"It was nice to go out there and do the job, put that blue number on the board ASAP and lead from the front. It was a special moment to have that responsibility."