LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Before leaving Valhalla and boarding his plane home, Ian Poulter addressed the growing sentiment that Team Europe will be the overwhelming favorites late next month at the Ryder Cup. Poulter, of course, is a longtime points machine for the Europeans.

"My thoughts, well, obviously I think there's been a couple of injuries for the American team at the minute," he said, referring to the absence of Dustin Johnson (personal issues) and the possible-to-likely absence of Tiger Woods (back). "But listen, it's Ryder Cup and a weak team or a strong team, doesn't matter who is it playing, who is not playing. It's going to be a really difficult week."

Poulter led the amazing comeback in the Miracle at Medinah in 2012. So he knows a little something about Ryder Cups.

"Whether we are favorites is irrelevant," he said. "It's the Ryder Cup. And you know, we have seen guys go in there and demolish people that are much higher in the world rankings. It doesn't mean anything when it comes to it. It's Ryder Cup. Guys are going to play with passion and both teams are going to be fighting really hard."

Poulter finished even-par for the PGA Championship.