Poulter may make choice between US and European tours

Ian Poulter has conceded that he may be forced to choose between the PGA and European tours in future.

Rory McIlroy announced on Tuesday that he was following Lee Westwood’s decision to opt out of the PGA tour next year.

34-year-old Poulter admits that the increase in European tour events from 12 to 13 in addition to playing 15 times on the PGA tour will make it harder to maintain top form and may lead him to consider a similar decision to his Ryder Cup teammates.

Poulter said: "Hopefully it won't get more difficult as I will have to make a decision myself.

“I have a house over in the States and my family is well settled over there, but then you can't deny playing two tours is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the European Tour number you have to play going up.

“It was 11 events two years ago before it went to 12 and now it's up to 13, and that's on top of having to play the mandatory 15 across the 'Pond'.”

In respect of McIlroy’s decision to limit his appearances, Poulter added: “Rory's young and he's got plenty of time to play wherever he wants.

“He's top 10 in the world and he is going to stay top 10 in the world for a long time but then Lee Westwood has done exactly the same. He's now world number one so it hasn't harmed him not playing over there.”