GB&I's Poulter Inspired by Father’s Team Match Play Success

Luke Poulter will be aiming to emulate his father’s match play heroics when he makes his Walker Cup debut for Great Britain and Ireland at Cypress Point.

Ian Poulter’s career has featured many highlights, including a runner-up finish at The Open in 2008, yet the Englishman is best known for his starring role in multiple European Ryder Cup triumphs.

The catalyst for a stunning fightback at Medinah in 2012, Ian holds an excellent Ryder Cup record of 15-8-2 and is unbeaten in seven singles contests, while he also won the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in 2010 and the Volvo World Match Play Championship the following year.

It is now Luke’s turn to take on the United States of America in a biennial team competition for the first time, although he will be able to lean on his father for guidance in California.

“He's coming out this week, so I think it will be pretty cool for him to give us some insight and help us on our way,” said Luke Poulter. “He never played a Walker Cup, but he obviously has Ryder Cup knowledge, which is pretty similar to this. It’s amazing to see [what he has achieved in Ryder Cups]. It kind of gives me inspiration to try and follow in his footsteps.”

Asked if his dad has already provided tips on facing the USA, Poulter added, “We talk about it a bit… but there’s not much to it. It’s just kind of play your own game really, that’s about it.

“I’m sure we’ll chat about it this week a little bit more and he’ll maybe give some advice to the team. I’ve got my mum, my dad, my brother and my grandad flying over, plus my agent, my coaches. I’ve got a few people coming so it’s going to be a great week.”

Poulter secured his place in Captain Dean Robertson’s team courtesy of a fine 2025 season, which has seen him rise to No. 27 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®/WAGR®.

In addition to winning his first event on the American college circuit at the University of Florida, where he is a junior, and making the last 64 of last month’s U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club, he excelled for GB&I in the St Andrews Trophy, securing 3.5 points from four matches as Robertson’s side – featuring nine of the 10 players in action at the Walker Cup – recorded an emphatic victory over the Continent of Europe.

“I think that’s a big help,” said Poulter of the St Andrews Trophy success. “Obviously we’ve just added one new player (Niall Shiels Donegan), whose been playing great recently. We have that nice team chemistry – it’s given us a lot of confidence going through to this week. I think we’ve got a great bunch of lads, and everyone is working as a team, so it’s great.”

Poulter is certainly relishing being part of another match play squad as he prepares for his Walker Cup debut.

“I just like that head-to-head battle because it’s just you and the opponent on the golf course,” he added. “You don’t have to think about anything, you just go hole by hole and try and beat them. And then with the team stuff, it’s just really cool. I just love when everyone’s supporting you and everyone’s pulling for you.

“All the boys are great. It’s cool because I haven’t really been a part of all the England stuff up until late and just playing in those in the summer has been really cool. I really loved it. All the boys knew each other before; they didn’t really know me, but they’ve taken me in well which I’ve really liked. I’m very thankful for them to welcome me in like that. Everyone gets along great.

“And obviously Dean is a great captain, but overall just an unbelievable guy, super genuine, super nice. I’m so excited. It’s definitely a dream come true. I’m so pumped for this week.”