Ian Poulter and not world No1 Rory McIlroy is the man the United States will target when the Ryder Cup gets under way later this week.
The 38-year-old Englishman has earned his place as Europe’s leader on the course after some remarkable performances in the event, thereby guaranteeing his place in the centre of America’s sights at Gleneagles.
Poulter has won 11 of his last dozen matches, with an overall record of 12 victories and just three defeats, and has been Europe’s top points scorer on his last three appearances.
So while four-time major winner McIlroy, the current Open and PGA champion, may have the edge in individual competition there is no doubt whom the Americans want to take down.
Asked who they were targeting, captain Tom Watson said: “We’ve got a lot of players to look at but Poulter, with his record – he’s an 80 per cent victor over the series of matches he’s played in. We’d like to reduce that.
“Certainly, whenever you beat the stud on the opposing team, that gives your team a boost, not a question, but when it’s all said and done it’s 12 guys out there trying to win a point each match.
“Basically all you have to do is win a point and a half for the entire matches and you win the Ryder Cup. That’s the bottom line. That’s what I’m telling my players.”
The USA arrive in Scotland with memories of Europe’s miracle at Medinah two years ago still all too fresh in the minds of many.
Of the current team, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson were all in the team which squandered a 10-4 lead late on the second day to lose by a single point as Europe fought back brilliantly.
“I made it very clear to them that this trip is a redemption trip,” Watson said. “If any players are on this team that played on that team then it’s time to make amends and try to redeem yourselves.”