Watch: England draft in LIV Golf’s Ian Poulter for driving range lessons

England winning the European Championship may eventually be compared to the Miracle at Medinah and their bid for glory in Germany has been helped by Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter on the golf courses of their team base.

Poulter visited Gareth Southgate’s squad this week for coaching and a team competition at the squad’s Spa & GolfResort Weimarer Land headquarters, which has 45 holes which players have been using.

But the low-handicappers were joined by the hackers for a North v South competition on the manicured greens in Blankenhain. The southerners wore the iconic Tiger Woods red Nike golf shirt, while the northerners were in white.

Poulter, who was a key part of Europe’s famous 2012 comeback in Medinah, coached players on the driving range including Bukayo Saka, who was among those who were not regular players but happy to take advice from the five-time Ryder Cup winner.

“Get into position where your knees are bent and your arms are almost hanging straight down,” Poulter told Saka, who got a good connection with his iron. “Flushed it. Pulled left but flush,” added Poulter.

Harry Kane plays off a three handicap and admitted he felt the pressure when he came out to practice. “Everyone is expecting me to wipe the floor with the lads. It’s not that easy,” said the England captain. However, the southerners won the challenge with Kane being their star player.

Jude Bellingham, sporting a bucket hat tied under his chin, was missing the ball at the start of the session but ended up hitting Three Lion-embossed balls straight. Aaron Ramsdale, a 14-handicapper, also powerful with his technique, as was Lewis Dunk.

“Ollie Watkins surprised me. For someone who had never picked up a club, he surprised me a lot,” said Declan Rice. “Dunky surprised me. When he hit that driver....” added Jarrod Bowen.

The challenges included longest drive and putting, with Poulter’s LIV Golf stablemate Sam Horsfield also playing.