USA have a score to settle with Poulter

Tom Watson has targeted beating European hero Ian Poulter in Scotland this weekend as the way for his USA team to gain redemption for their Medinah meltdown two years ago.

Poulter was the man who dragged Jose Maria Olazabal’s Europe back from the brink at the Chicago country club in 2012, as the Americans blew the 10-4 lead they had enjoyed midway through the Saturday afternoon session of fourballs.

The Englishman reduced playing partner Rory McIlroy to a virtual spectator as they defeated Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson, the victory adding to Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald’s win over Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, to give Europe hope at 10-6 down heading into Sunday’s singles.