Ian Poulter looking ahead to Ryder Cup after fast start in Dubai

Ian Poulter admitted he was playing for pride and Ryder Cup points after earning a share of the early lead at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Poulter entered the final European Tour event of the season ranked a lowly 37th in the Race to Dubai standings, and he is understandably keen to avoid his lowest finish since ending his rookie year at 31st in 2000.

The 39-year-old has not tasted victory anywhere in the world for three years, but he is already using next year's Ryder Cup as motivation for picking up his performances.

But he made an excellent start at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, making three birdies on each nine and keeping a bogey off his card as he fired a 66 to join Marcus Fraser in the clubhouse lead on six under par.

Asked if he had a lot to play for in Dubai, Poulter told Sky Sports: "More pride than anything else. Dropping out of the top 50 (in the world rankings) is not very nice, being down the list on the order of merit is not very nice and putting some points on the board for the Ryder Cup would be very helpful."

Poulter has been struggling with a foot injury recently and admitted he was looking forward to 10 weeks off before starting his 2016 campaign.

"I had an impingement for three weeks and I was kind of getting sick of taking painkillers so I went and had a cortisone injection in the foot," he added. "That's why I didn't play on Tuesday. It's still a little sore this morning. Back's a little sore. Hand's a little sore. That's what you get when you play five weeks in a row.

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"I might have a little bone spur which is causing a little bit of irritation. I'll have an MRI when I get home. Hopefully it's nothing too serious, just normal wear and tear and hopefully it will just settle down with a little bit of rest."

American Ryder Cup skipper Davis Love III announced on Wednesday evening that he had appointed Tiger Woods as one of his assistant captains, and Poulter believes the decision was a "smart move".

"Why wouldn't Tiger want to be part of that team, whether it be playing or even vice-captain? He's been a part of that team for so many years," Poulter said. "Tiger's Tiger. He creates a buzz whether he's playing or not playing, so just his presence there would be a good thing for the team."

Poulter is just a few days younger than Woods and insists being a vice-captain has not even entered his mind, but he added: "I think his body has taken an awful lot of punishment over the last few years.

"He went back in for another back surgery, as we know and that's obviously difficult. It's going to be difficult for him to come back from that. It's an early announcement but it's not a bad announcement.

"I'm not really sure a vice-captain will give any team an edge. I mean, he's bringing a lot of experience, is what he is doing, and guys would respect what he's done in the game of golf."

Meanwhile, Fraser was delighted to take advantage of perfect scoring conditions as he reeled off three straight birdies from the second and raced to seven under after 14 holes before dropping his only shot of the day at the 16th.

The Australian, who played just six events in 2014 due to a hand injury, said: "I felt like I played great. I felt like I was in control of my game most of the day and managed to make a couple of putts. The greens are so good that if you hit it on line, it's going to go in.

"You know you've done a few things right if you can come and play this tournament to finish off the year. Especially after a year like I had last year, I was pleased to play well last week and make sure I got into this tournament."

The leading pair were later joined on six under by Martin Kaymer and Andy Sullivan, who was cheered on by 30 members of his home golf club in Nuneaton.

"Every putt that went in they were really cheering and it's a big plus," said Sullivan, who is the only three-time winner on the European Tour this season. "They've been to Wentworth, Woburn and Portugal this year and have been planning this trip since the middle of the year, dying to get out of the cold at home."