Ryder Cup: Ian Poulter ready to intimidate at Gleneagles

Poulter has an 80% winning record in his four Ryder Cups so far

Ian Poulter says he is ready to resume his role as Europe's Ryder Cup talisman despite poor form coming to Gleneagles.

Poulter has an 80% winning record in four Cups, sparking the Miracle of Medinah last time, but has had only one top-10 finish on tour this year.

"I'm one of those players who stands tall." the 38-year-old said.

"When I do that and when I hole putts and am seen showing the emotion, I guess that can be the intimidation factor."

He added: "I've been able to do that an awful lot since playing in the Ryder Cup. I feel if that can continue, that's how I'll try and intimidate."

Poulter was in brilliant form at the Ryder Cup two years ago, inspiring the remarkable European comeback with five birdies in the last five holes of Saturday's fourballs.

But this year he missed the cut at the summer's Open and failed to break the top 50 at the most recent major, the US PGA.

Poulter has relished his role in Europe's domination of the contest, his ability to raise his game and ostentatious on-course celebrations making him the obvious successor to inspirational players from the past like Seve Ballesteros and Colin Montgomerie.

"It only happens every two years, and it's been a long time to wait between those weeks," he said on Thursday.

"Poulter just needs a spark, and the spark could well be the Ryder Cup this week," Justin Rose said

"Just the pride of what it means to put the shirt on, to soak up the electricity that you get from the crowd is something which is the biggest adrenaline rush you could ever possibly have.

"You don't need to control it. You've been waiting for it for a long time, so you just need to grab hold of it and let it go, and that's what you see when I play in this format."

Poulter practised on Thursday morning with Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Jamie Donaldson, teeing off after a group containing Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and Thomas Bjorn.

And Rose, who has enjoyed great success in the past when paired with his fellow Englishman, said he was confident Poulter's struggles this season would not inhibit him in his favourite competition.

"He's playing well, he really is," Rose said. "I know people say he hasn't had a great season, but he's on the verge of playing very, very well.

"He just needs a spark, and the spark could well be the Ryder Cup this week. When his back is against the wall, he normally produces, which is great."