This isn't my last hurrah in Ryder Cup, insists Poulter

Having repeatedly excelled in the Ryder Cup, Ian Poulter is hopeful he can continue to play in the competition for several more years.

Ian Poulter at the 2018 Ryder Cup

Ian Poulter is determined to ensure this week's Ryder Cup is not his last in Europe as he prepares to feature in his favourite competition for the sixth time.

Poulter boasts a tremendous record in the biennial contest between Europe and the United States and will be expected to play a key role for Thomas Bjorn's side at Le Golf National.

Now 42, the Englishman delivered an emphatic response when asked if he had considered whether this might be his final Ryder Cup on home soil.

"It won't be," said Poulter with a smile.

He went on to add: "I would like to think I've got more in me, I'll say that. I mean, I really do.

"I think how I've played this year is hopefully the start of me kicking forward again to play in some more. I don't want to think that this is my last hurrah.

"I would like to be part of Team Europe moving forward, and I would like to play some more. It's that special to be part of.

"I'm more excited today than I was in 2004 [when he made his Ryder Cup debut], if that's possible."

Discussing his memories of that maiden Ryder Cup appearance in 2004, Poulter made it clear this is an event like no other, a theme echoed later in the morning by Open champion Francesco Molinari.

"The excitement level going down to that first tee shot, for me, was something very special," Poulter stated.

"It's hard to explain, and I've tried to explain to a number of people through the years what that tee shot means and what the feeling is in your body when you're walking down to that tee shot.

"And as a player that's played in multiple majors now, it's different. Walking to the first tee at Augusta, walking to the first tee at St. Andrews, walking to the first tee in The Ryder Cup is that different."

The huge grandstand behind the first tee at Le Golf National is set to make Friday's opening tee shots all the more memorable.

"When I think back to 2004 [at Oakland Hills], the stand is nothing like what we have today. So it really is going to be quite a special moment Friday, and it's going to be very interesting to see," Poulter concluded.