Ian Poulter is making a last-minute dash from Florida to Hong Kong in order to maintain his European Tour membership and remain eligible for next year's Ryder Cup.

Poulter dropped out of the world’s top 50 on Sunday and was therefore ineligible for the upcoming WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, meaning he would be unable to play the 13 events required for European Tour membership.

Only members can qualify for Europe's Ryder Cup team and Poulter has now been forced to travel to Fanling for this week's Hong Kong Open, with former US PGA champion Rich Beem — now a commentator for Sky Sports — giving up his tournament invite to allow Poulter a place in the field.

Poulter posted a picture on his Twitter account of a FedEx parcel, writing: “That’s what you call cutting it fine, passports arrived 7.15am, taking off at 9am to make flight to Hong Kong.”

The 39-year-old added: “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?”

Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Peter Lawrie and Kevin Phelan make up the irish contingent in the field this week with much at stake for Lawrie and Phelan.

Both players must finish sixth or better to make it into the top-110 on the Race to Dubai and, with it, secure their playing privileges for next season.

Otherwise it will be back to Q-School next month for the Castleknock and Mount Juliet representatives.