If Ian Poulter makes the 2016 European Ryder Cup team, he will be (continuing to) thank 2002 PGA champion Rich Beem.
When the new Official World Golf Ranking was released on Sunday night, Poulter had dropped out of the top 50 for the first time since 2006. That meant Poulter was no longer exempt into the field for the WGC-HSBC Champions in two weeks, the second of the European Tour's four playoff-type events in their Race to Duabi Final Series. Not being able to play in the event left Poulter one planned start shy of the 13 required to maintain European Tour membership, required for any European player to be a part of the Ryder Cup team. That meant Poulter needed to find a way into the Hong Kong Open, the final regular season event on the European Tour schedule.
However, with the tournament entry deadline already having come and gone two weeks before tournament week, the only way Poulter could get into the field was through a sponsor's exemption. Enter Beem, who gave up his sponsor's exemption into the tournament so that Poulter could make an unprecedented last-minute entry into the event.
Thanks to @beemerpga for giving up his invitation to allow me to play in Hong Kong. Where would you like me to take you for dinner.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 20, 2015
Then there was the matter of getting to the Chinese protectorate. Poulter obtained a visa and received his updated passport less than two hours before his Tuesday flight.
That's what you call cutting it fine, passports arrived 7.15am, taking off at 9am to make flight to Hong Kong. pic.twitter.com/JmeVITEvLn
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 20, 2015
Poulter will land in Hong Kong on Wednesday evening, giving him no practice time. Then again, that's not really the point. Showing up is.
