Like legends Seve Ballesteros and Colin Montgomerie before him, Englishman Ian Poulter seems to save his best golf for the Ryder Cup, when his emotional responses regularly motivates his European teammates.

With the US leading 10-4 late on Saturday, Poulter claimed one of two points in the fourballs to hand Europe a spark of momentum heading into the final day's play at the Medinah Country Club, reducing the deficit to four points.

then on Sundary, Poulter was one of eight Europeans to win their singles matches as the European team claimed a dramatic come-from-behind victory that left the Americans stunned.

"It's a passion I have; it's a passion I've seen at the Ryder Cup for years and years as a kid growing up, and it's something that comes from within," Poulter commented after beating U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson in his match.

"I just love it. I love the whole fact that I've got 11 great team mates, a fantastic captain and vice-captains, and I love the team atmosphere. It's something very, very special to be a part of."

The 36-year-old made his debut in the competition at Oakland Hills in 2004 ended his week with a perfect 4-0-0 record and an over-all record of 12-3-0 - the highest winning percentage by a European who has played in at least three Cups.

Such is his prowess in the competition that compatriot Lee Westwood joked that Poulter should be included automatically when Europe defend their title at Gleneagles in 2014.

"We have actually revised the qualification for next time," Westwood smiled. "It's nine spots, two picks and Poults. The Poults clause."

While Poulter has competed in four Ryder Cups, this year's event was made even more special when the entire team entire in the navy blue colours once favoured by Ballesteros, who passed away last May.

It was amazing to see the atmosphere change in that team room," Poulter commented.

"The spirit, it just changed. Guys were pumped up... we just felt there was that little glimmer of hope.

"Whether it's this good man right on my left sleeve right now that's going to pull us through this, I don't know," he added while pointing to the silhouette of the late Ballesteros. "It's pretty special."

As to how he ranks this team achievement, the Englishman was clear: "I have more pride and passion in winning the Ryder Cup than winning a major.

"I would love to win one, win them all, don't get me wrong, and I've been close (he was second to Padraig Harrington in the 2008 Open). But if I don't win another golf tournament, Sunday is going to go down as the highlight of my career."

Poulter was asked to try and define what makes him such a feared opponent in matchplay: "I'm a bad loser. That's why I'm hard to beat and that's why guys dislike me and want to beat me," he said.

"I wanted to be a footballer but that did not happen so my next best thing was golf. It was a good move to be honest, especially for an Arsenal fan being told I was not good enough after two trials with Spurs. Being told I'm not good enough at anything just motivates me.

"To be part of a team is very special. We created history. You are an individual for the most part. It's only Seve Trophy and Ryder Cup that you get to spend any time with players and be a team. It's very nice to be part of that."

Many Europeans just try and stay under the radar and do their job when playing in front of hostile American crowds, but not Poulter.

"I feed off those guys," he said. "If they want to be loud and create an atmosphere, let's go play golf. As long as it stays within that line, it's fine.

"There was lots (of heckling), but the only way to silence a crowd is to hit great golf shots.

"That's who I am. I want to be that guy who contributes to a team. I always wanted to be the guy scoring the goals. I like to give it 100% or go down in flames.

"It's fairytale stuff. Can anyone believe that actually happened on the golf course? We were dead and buried. We were betting beaten and it was looking like it was going to be humiliating. And we turned it round to be the best Ryder Cup in history."

Golf 365