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 points 
24 Aug 

 1 Padraig Harrington   Ire 343.03 
 2 Sergio Garcia        Spa 278.46 
 3 Lee Westwood         Eng 266.18 
 4 Henrik Stenson       Swe 245.13 
 5 Robert Karlsson      Swe 204.76 
—————————————————————————————————— 
 6 Miguel Angel Jimenez Spa 202.35 
 7 Justin Rose          Eng 188.34 
 8 Ian Poulter          Eng 183.37 
 9 Graeme McDowell      NI 175.81 
10 Martin Kaymer        Ger 152.17 

Top five players from world list plus 
next five best from Euro list qualify 

                                       
European Ryder Cup Euro points 
24 Aug 

 1 Padraig Harr'ton Ire 2,676,219   
 2 Lee Westwood     Eng 2,547,952   
 3 Robert Karlsson  Swe 2,183,494   
 4 Miguel A Jimenez Spa 2,092,170 Q 
 5 Henrik Stenson   Swe 2,018,162   
 6 Graeme McDowell  NI 1,993,608 Q 
 7 Justin Rose      Eng 1,437,061 Q 
 8 Soren Hansen     Den 1,421,745 Q 
 9 Oliver Wilson    Eng 1,386,385 Q 
10 Martin Kaymer    Ger 1,369,093   

Q = currently in qualifying position 
in addition to world list top five 

                                       
US Ryder Cup points 
24 Aug 

#1 Tiger Woods      11,365.627 points 
 2 Phil Mickelson    5,342.500 
 3 Stewart Cink      4,952.665 
 4 Kenny Perry       4,480.700 
 5 Jim Furyk         4,423.892 
 6 Anthony Kim       4,035.296 
 7 Justin Leonard    3,379.274 
 8 Ben Curtis        3,120.062 
—————————————————————————————— 
 9 Boo Weekley       2,785.096 
10 Steve Stricker    2,663.568 
11 Woody Austin      2,422.983 
12 DJ Trahan         2,372.566 
13 Hunter Mahan      2,304.517 
* top eight qualify plus four wildcards 
# Woods is out injured 

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.