Europe captain Paul McGinley has insisted that Ian Poulter is not certain to be a member of his 2014 team despite his recent Ryder Cup heroics.
Poulter's performance on the second afternoon at Medinah last year was the catalyst for a memorable European comeback, which culminated in a 14½–13½ victory after a dramatic series of singles matches.
The Englishman has won 11 of his last 13 matches in the tournament, despite only qualifying as a captain's pick on two occasions, but McGinley has stressed that Poulter will not be handed another wildcard for Gleneagles unless his form warrants it.
"Ian Poulter is a special guy and what he did last year was incredible," McGinley told reporters. "But I am not saying anybody is in the team. I am talking in the past and I am talking about what he has achieved until now.
"I can assure you that if Ian Poulter has a very poor year next year he is not going to be in the team. But the chances of Ian Poulter having a very poor year are slim and I am hoping that doesn't happen.
"I would love to have him in the team but he has to earn his stripes. He has to prove to me he is on his game and mentally and physically ready."
Poulter, 37, is currently ranked number 20 in the world golf rankings, but has not won a professional event this year.
Joe Fish
