Ian Poulter withdraws from Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles

• Tuesday, 26 August 2008
• Paula Benn
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This decision has not been taken lightly as it was Ian’s last opportunity to qualify for The Ryder Cup in his own right. However having missed the cut in the first FedEx play-off event last week in New York, playing Gleneagles rather than Boston this week would mean he would be unable to qualify for the final two FedEx Cup playoff events, the BMW Championship and The Tour Championship.

Poulter issued the following statement: “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.

“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. I have called Nick Faldo and told him of my decision and hope that my performance so far this year will earn one of his two wildcard picks.

“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.”