Ian Poulter reveals Ryder Cup prank that nearly led to a fight: "Furyk's wife went ape----!"

European Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter has revealed a drunken practical joke in the immediate aftermath of their emphatic defeat to the United States in Valhalla almost led to a physical confrontation in the locker room. 

Nick Faldo's Europe were defeated 16 1⁄2 – 11 1⁄2 in the 2008 edition of the biennial matches in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Europe went into the contest on the back off three consecutive wins but Paul Azinger's men - led by an inspired Anthony Kim and Boo Weekley - helped the red, white and blue snap the streak.  

As is standard, the two teams met for a drink in the locker rooms. 

But according to Poulter, a "really childish" and "pathetic" practical joke led a huge shouting match in the U.S. locker room. 

The Postman and Lee Westwood ended up being on the receiving end of a right old telling off from Jim Furyk's wife, Tabitha, according to the golfer who explained what went down on Peter Finch's Rough Cut Golf podcast.

"So the winning team normally accept the losing team into their team room for a few drinks and a cheers, and well done, and well played, and all that good stuff," Poulter began. 

"And we're pretty hammered, right? We've just lost. This is Faldo's. This is 2008, and we're in their American team room. 

"They've got pictures of each other on the walls, and it's Boo Weekley and Stricker and all that - really childish. 

"We're p----- up and Westy is drawing stuff on Steve Stricker's picture, and I've defaced Weekley and wrote 'who ate all the pies?' 

"It was really childish, just pathetic."

Poulter added: "But Jim Furyk's wife went ape----, and I mean, proper psychotic, screaming, shouting ape----, calling for security: 'You lot get the f--- out of here.' 

"It was proper nasty, and we're just p----- up. I mean, listen, what are you going to do if you're 10 pints in and you've just lost the Ryder Cup, right?

"So I remember Jim's wife screaming at Lee, 'Get out of our team room,' this and that, it got quit nasty [and she said] 'I'm going to go and tell your wife', and [he said] 'I'll take you to her if you want, no problem.' 

"I think Lee escorts Jim's wife up to the room where Laurae [Westwood's first wife] was asleep at the time, woke her up, and she had told her how bad Lee was.

"Anyway, it was a s--- joke."

Poulter, who represented Europe in the Ryder Cup on seven occasions between 2004 and 2021, added that it was an "interesting" half an hour.

The Englishman was once expected to captain the European team one day but his decision to switch to LIV Golf in 2022 has severely affected his chances. 

In the podcast, Poulter explained that he hasn't given up hope of being appointed captain one day. 

Furyk has this week been confirmed as the next US Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland. 

Tiger Woods was expected to take the reins from Keegan Bradley but the 15-time major champion ruled himself out after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence last month in Florida. 

The decision by the PGA of America to appoint Furyk again has raised eyebrows considering the veteran was in charge of the U.S. team that were comfortably defeated in 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris. 

His four captain's picks performed dreadfully and he faced criticism over his pairings and his decision not to partner Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth together despite their strong record. 

Europe skipper Luke Donald has already passed on a congratulatory message to his counterpart.