Ian Poulter’s Ryder Cup hopes fading

Ian Poulter is expected to miss the next four months of the season due to a foot injury, effectively ending his chances of qualifying automatically for the Ryder Cup.

Poulter is currently 42nd on the European Points list, but could still feature at Hazeltine as one of European captain Darren Clarke’s five vice-captains.

Clarke appointed Thomas Bjorn, Paul Lawrie, and Pádraig Harrington last week, with Poulter, Lee Westwood and Jose Maria Olazabal understood to be in contention for the remaining places.