European Ryder Cup rankings

Open runner-up Ian Poulter must rely on a wildcard pick from European captain Nick Faldo if he is to feature in the Ryder Cup.

The Englishman cannot now make the automatic selection spots after deciding to skip the Johnnie Walker Championship this weekend.

Poulter announced on Monday he is staying to compete in America even though the tournament there does not count towards the points table.

Darren Clarke, a winner in Holland on Sunday, Paul Casey and Colin Montgomerie are also looking for one of two wildcard picks, with Faldo due to announce his line-up on Sunday.

Justin Rose, Soren Hansen and Oliver Wilson, meanwhile, occupy places eight, nine and 10 on the standings, with only Martin Kaymer, Ross Fisher and Nick Dougherty able to deny them.

606: DEBATE Who should get a Ryder Cup wildcard?

But Swede Robert Karlsson, who has already secured his spot, is an injury concern after being told not to risk further damage to a neck problem by practising.

Karlsson has decided not to play the Omega Masters in Switzerland (from 4-7 September) as a precaution, but hopes to play the Mercedes-Benz Championship (from 11-14 September) the week before the Ryder Cup.

The top five players from a list based on the points accrued from world rankings plus the next five best players on a European Tour-based points list make up the 10 automatic qualifiers.

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European Ryder Cup team:
(as at 25/08/08. Last week's ranking in brackets)

1. (1) Padraig Harrington - Ireland - 4 caps

2. (4) Sergio Garcia - Spain - 4 caps

3. (2) Lee Westwood - England - 5 caps

4. (3) Henrik Stenson - Sweden - 1 cap

5. (5) Robert Karlsson - Sweden - 1 cap

6. (6) Miguel Angel Jimenez - Spain - 2 caps

7. (7) Graeme McDowell - Northern Ireland - 0 caps

8. (8) Justin Rose - England - 0 caps

9. (10) Soren Hansen - Denmark - 0 caps

10. (9) Oliver Wilson - England - 0 caps

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European Ryder Cup World list 
09 November 

 1 Lee Westwood      Eng  75.26 points 
 2 Padraig Harrington Ire  70.83 
 3 Simon Dyson       Eng  69.03 
 4 Rory McIlroy      NI  62.86 
——————————————————————————————— 
 5 Alexander Noren   Swe  55.00 
 6 Ian Poulter       Eng  52.24 
 7 Ross McGowan      Eng  50.31 
 8 Ross Fisher       Eng  47.86 
 9 Francesco Molinari Ita  43.10 
10 Edoardo Molinari  Ita  38.47 

Top four qualify plus five from 
European list — see following page 

                                       
European Ryder Cup European list 
16 November 

 1 Rory McIlroy      NI 860,222.72 pt 
 2 Simon Dyson       Eng 828,296.58 
 3 Lee Westwood      Eng 792,724.41 
 4 Ian Poulter       Eng 646,122.80 
 5 Ross Fisher       Eng 604,779.80 
 6 Francesco Molinari Ita 580,184.77 
 7 Alexander Noren   Swe 577,454.49 
 8 Ross McGowan      Eng 537,636.33 
——————————————————————————————————— 
 9 Oliver Wilson     Eng 470,287.37 
10 Gregory Bourdy    Fra 390,949.88 

Top 5 not qualified through World list 
qualify — current qualifiers above line 

                                       
US Ryder Cup list 
16 November 

 1 Lucas Glover       1,650.000 points 
 2 Stewart Cink       1,291.096 
 3 Tiger Woods        1,286.163 
 4 Phil Mickleson       873.530 
 5 Kenny Perry          734.943 
 6 Tom Watson           732.603 
 7 Chad Campbell        681.113 
 8 Ricky Barnes         559.830 
——————————————————————————————— 
 = David Duval          559.830 
10 Hunter Mahan         527.417 
11 John Merrick         393.450 
12 Steve Stricker       337.530 

Top eight qualify automatically 

The top eight automatic American qualifiers secured their places after the USPGA on 10 August. Captain Paul Azinger will name his four wildcards on Tuesday 2 September.

The 37th Ryder Cup will take place at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, from 19-21 September.