One of Poulter’s teammates, Justin Rose, believes Poulter will feed off the criticism.

“Ian’s the kind of guy that can take care of himself,” said Rose, who could find himself paired with his fellow Englishman when play starts on Friday. “When he’s got a point to prove, he normally goes out there and does it.”

Poulter said he’s had a chance to talk with Clarke and smooth over any hard feelings.

“He was very supportive,” Poulter said. “He’s obviously very disappointed with not making the side. But Darren said, ’You know, I’m very pleased that you’ve made the side and you’re a very worthy player of making that side.’ That’s the type of guy Darren is. He’s obviously taken it personally. He’s very disappointed. But on the other hand, he’s pleased for me.”

Poulter said there’s no lingering bitterness in the locker room, either.

Maybe he’ll even get a chance to break out his apparently dead-on impersonation of a character from the old British sitcom “Only Fools and Horses,” the one that prompted Faldo to quip in the call to let him know he was on the team, “Raquel, go and put your overcoat on, it’s time to go to the Ryder Cup.”

“The guys have been great,” Poulter said. “Everybody on the team is united.”

At the 11th hole Wednesday, he stood over a 20-foot putt just as Faldo pulled up in a cart to check out the group.

Poulter rolled it right in the center of the cup.

Now, he’s just got to do it when it counts.

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