Golf Dutch Open: Ian Poulter insists he is not repeating the mistakes of three years ago despite playing his eighth event in a row at this week's KLM Open
Poulter is enjoying one of his most consistent seasons since turning professional and his joint fourth at last week's Scandinavian Masters was his sixth top-10 finish.
That form has lifted him into eighth place in the Ryder Cup European points list - which will guarantee him a place at Oakland Hills next month if he can maintain it over the next four weeks.
Poulter missed out by one place for the last contest at The Belfry and admitted he had made a mistake by "chasing my tail" to try and make the side.
But after conceding on Sunday he was "absolutely exhausted" and would not play at Hilversum, Poulter changed his mind and will compete in the €1.26m event starting today.
The tournament presents Poulter with the opportunity of Ryder Cup points plus the chance to force his way into the world's top 50, which in turn opens the door to the WGC NEC Invitational, the week after the USPGA, where more points are available.
"I'm not getting ahead of myself, I'm playing for each day and not for weeks in advance," he said. "I have played more consistent this season than I have ever played. I've had six top-10s, which is consistent golf, and it's not up and down like it used to be.
"But I'm not focusing on the Ryder Cup, I'm focusing on this week to get myself in the WGC - the Ryder Cup qualification is in four to five weeks' time.
"I'm thinking this week; have a good day tomorrow, then Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then it is all done and dusted.
"I'll be doing my damnedest to make sure I'm in that (Ryder Cup)side but if I'm not then I have given it my best and I'll just get in the next one.
"If I don't make it I'm not going to say I don't give a monkey's because that is wrong, but if I don't make it that is because I haven't played well enough.
"End of story. I'm not going to sit and mope around being a miserable so-and-so for the next six months.
"If I don't make it tough, life goes on. There is more to life than having to play in a Ryder Cup. It won't be the end of the world."
Ireland's Graeme McDowell, winner of the Italian Open this year and 14th on the European points list received a boost ahead of his arrival in Holland after learning he had qualified for the USPGA along with Paul McGinley.
Dutchman Maarten Lafeber, who became the first home winner of this event in 56 years last season, begins his defence tomorrow in a group containing Poulter and McGinley.
