Thursday 29 October 2015 16:43, UK
Ian Poulter's last-minute dash across the world to play in last week's Hong Kong Open has turned out to be an unnecessary journey.
Poulter dropped out of the world's top 50 and was therefore ineligible for his planned appearance in the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, meaning he would be unable to play the 13 events required for European Tour membership.
Only members can qualify for Europe's Ryder Cup team and that meant Poulter was forced into a frantic journey from Orlando to Hong Kong, but only after former US PGA champion Rich Beem generously agreed to give up his tournament invite.
The 39-year-old was initially sixth reserve for the final World Golf Championship event of the year, but the first four were drafted in to complete the 78-man field and Tyrrell Hatton then replaced the injured George Coetzee.
When American Brandt Snedeker also withdrew, Poulter was handed a place in the event which provided his last European Tour victory in 2012.
Poulter wrote on Twitter: "I will be playing the #hsbcchampions event next week in Shanghai now. I guess it was meant to be......"
The Englishman has been in action at this week's Turkish Airlines Open, where he opened with a three-under 69 at Montgomerie Maxx Royal.
Watch the WGC-HSBC Champions event from November 5-8 live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
