Ian PoulterMatt Dunham
NEWPORT, Wales - Ian Poulter was like the cat that got the cream after finding out he and Ross Fisher would be playing Americans Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in Friday morning's opening Ryder Cup fourball matches.
"Tiger and Stricker -- if ever there was a match you are going to want to play in, it is against their best two players," Briton Poulter told reporters on Thursday. "The roar on that first tee will be sensational.
"I cannot wait to hear it and cannot wait to get pumped for it. I cannot wait to give them some feedback."
Fisher was just as pumped up as his partner ahead of the match with Woods and Stricker.
"To get that draw is special," said Fisher. "We want to really get out there and give it to them.
"I think we will get the crowd on our side and the atmosphere will be electric. It's going to be something I will never forget, that's for sure."
The flamboyant Poulter gave a broad grin when it was announced at the opening ceremony that he and his fellow Englishman would be taking on world number one Woods and the fourth-ranked Stricker.
"They are two world-class players and it's going to be a hell of a match," said Poulter. "I cannot wait.
"They are going to give us some electricity. Hopefully we can respond to that and give them some good shots and something to cheer about."
Poulter and Fisher have teamed up before in the World Cup and both have excellent matchplay pedigree.
Fisher won the World Match Play title in Spain last year while Poulter lifted the WGC-Accenture World Match Play crown in Arizona in February.
"I don't think it (the combination) is any secret," said Poulter. "We have played together quite a bit.
"We played twice in practice and I like the way we set up. It is going to be an incredible match."
Poulter also took time out to praise the speech given by captain Colin Montgomerie at the opening ceremony.
"It was awesome," he said. "Monty has done the job that everyone thought he would do.
"He is very thoughtful and this has been well thought out from day one. I think it will be a very memorable week."
RELATED: Clubhouse Blog: War theme sets wrong tone for Ryder Cup On Deck: Mickelson, Westwood get opening day call On Track: Westwood ready to lead Europe