Poulter and Fisher out to catch Monty’s eye at Mission Hills

forsyth and drysdale pairing hope to emulate scotland success of two years ago

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Impressing Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie is the priority for many of the teams competing in the Mission Hills World Cup in Shenzhen, China, this week.

When the serious business begins today, both Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher know solid performances can further enhance their Ryder Cup pedigree.

Poulter and Fisher combined well 12 months ago to finish sixth over the undulating Olazabal course, with a solid week rounded off by an impressive final foursomes round.

With both heading into the 28-team tournament on the back of recent wins, confidence and camaraderie is high with a victory certain to catch the attention of Ryder Cup captain and former World Cup winner Montgomerie.

“We went from strength to strength and finished really strongly,” said world number 20 Fisher. “But we were both still disappointed not to finish inside the top three or even win.

“Now we are coming back both in good form. Ian just had a win, I’ve just had a win and we have both had good seasons on the European Tour.”

Fisher’s timely win at the world match-play championship in Spain last month came just hours after 2004 Ryder Cup winner Poulter ended a three-year drought in Singapore, meaning both are currently in the automatic qualifying positions for Celtic Manor.

“Hopefully, I can play myself into the Ryder Cup team but all I can do is take one tournament at a time and, hopefully, that will be good enough,” added 2009 Vivendi Trophy winner Fisher, who is chasing a maiden Ryder Cup appearance.

“I will think about the Ryder Cup more next year but this is obviously a good stepping stone.

“If Ian and I can have a good week, maybe Colin will be looking at it. I’ve also won the match-play which is a massive boost for me.”

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, as world number seven and the highest ranked player in the field, and Robert Karlsson return to defend the title they won in impressive style last year, while Sergio Garcia forms a formidable Spanish team with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

Ireland boast the equally impressive combination of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell.

Alastair Forsyth and David Drysdale represent Scotland and will be aiming to emulate the triumph of Montgomerie and Marc Warren two years ago.

“It’s a stronger field this year for sure,” said players’ championship winner Stenson. “You could find the winner in 14 teams.”

Karlsson, out for four months earlier this season with an eye injury, enjoyed a welcome return to form last week, losing a play-off to Challenge Tour number one Edoardo Molinari at the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan.

Molinari also tees up this week for Italy alongside brother Francesco.

World number eight Garcia is looking to end a winless and testing 2009 on a high by helping Spain better the second place achieved by Miguel Angel Jimenez and Pablo Larrazabal last year.

“It’s been a hard year but, at the same time, I think it’s been positive,” he said. “I think it’s made me grow a lot, not only as a player but as a person.

“Looking at the results it has not been a good year. But I feel like my game in the past three and a half months has been improving and that’s positive for next year.

“There are a lot of good teams out there this week. But we also have a good team, we should be proud of that. So if we manage to use our talent and the capabilities we have, I think that we should be contenders for the title.”