Poults - Justin's on the team

Ian Poulter believes that Justin Rose's triumph at the AT&T National over the weekend has assured the Englishman of a place on Europe's Ryder Cup team.

Rose's one-shot victory - his second on the PGA Tour in three starts - moved him up to sixth place on the Ryder Cup world points list.

With nine players qualifying automatically, only the top four on the world list will make it on to Colin Montgomerie's team for October's clash with the Americans at Celtic Manor - the other five coming from the European points list.

That means Rose currently remains outside the qualifying places, but Poulter believes his exceptional recent form is now certain to guarantee him a spot in Montgomerie's team - even if it is as a wildcard pick.

"It's great for him and it's great for the Ryder Cup team for him to be playing the golf he is," Poulter, who partnered Rose at the 2008 Ryder Cup in Valhalla, told Sky Sports.

"I think it almost puts him in the side (on points), but if not Colin's going to want him to press on a little harder to make sure he doesn't have to pick him and then that Ryder Cup side will be shaping up nicely."

When pressed on whether he thought Rose would now make the side regardless of whether he moved into an automatic qualification place in the months ahead, Poulter added: "Of course it's him in, but I think he himself would like to make the side and not have to be picked.

"He will get a pick now for sure, he won two out of two weeks and should have three out of three weeks but he'll be trying to get in the side without having to get a pick and that would free up another pick for Monty.

"My partner will be in the Ryder Cup side so I look forward to pairing up with Justin and congrats to him for a great two weeks and long may that continue.

"He's played so many events on the PGA Tour, he won a couple of weeks ago, he should have won last week and he's come out and won this week which shows how good he is mentally."