Ian Poulter says he understands the decision to leave him out of the second session on the opening day of the Ryder Cup.
Poulter: Celebrates during his opening foursomes match
Playing alongside Justin Rose, the duo won their opening foursomes match against Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, but while Rose was again selected for the afternoon fourballs - this time alongside Martin Kaymer - there was no place for Poulter in the four pairings sent out in the afternoon.
"It's not disappointing," Poulter said. "Well, I would love to have played five matches, but I realise that we are a team. That team is very, very, very strong this year, and Ollie really wanted to get everybody playing on Friday.
"So four guys have got to change from the morning round, and that's obviously going to be difficult. He (Olazabal) said to me that he would like to keep me fresh going through Saturday, Sunday. I found out yesterday afternoon."
Poulter played a pivotal role in the victory against Woods and Stricker, holing a clutch 9-foot putt on the 16th to keep the Europeans 2-up. When the following hole was again halved, the point was earned for Europe.
"I was delighted to finish that match off," Poulter added. "Tiger has been two of my three defeats in this Ryder Cup format and Justin and I were pretty pumped to get out there and kind of get that point on the board."
Asked if he was surprised to be left out while Woods was sent out again with Stricker, Poulter added: "Yeah, but he's Tiger Woods.
"Is Davis Love going to sit Tiger Woods? He's the guy they get out there to fire them up. He didn't quite fire them up this morning, but you never know. When Tiger is on he's on and he's very impressive, but when he's not,
he's not.
"It's a brave captain to leave him out."
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