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Poulter to miss Ryder Cup decider

25/08/2008

Ian Poulter has pulled out of this week's Johnnie Walker Championship, the final event counting towards Ryder Cup selection.

Poulter will now have to rely on a captain's pick if he is to make Europe's Ryder Cup team as he is currently outside the automatic selection spots.

"I have called (captain) Nick Faldo and told him of my decision and hope that my performance so far will earn one of his two wildcard picks," said Poulter.

The 32-year-old will instead play in America at the Deutsche Bank Championship where a high position will secure entry to the final two FedEx Cup play-off events, the BMW Championship and The Tour Championship.

"It has been an extremely difficult decision to take given my burning desire to represent Europe again in defending the Ryder Cup in the United States," he said.

"But the fact that Boston this week is my only opportunity to qualify for the final two play-off events, as well as being my final opportunity to play my 15 events on the US PGA Tour, conflicts with my ambition to play Gleneagles and earn my spot in the Team.

"The captain's picks are a nightmare, and not a position I would have wanted, where I need one, but we do know that Nick will do the right thing and I will be playing as hard as I can this week to add to my year and hopefully earn one."