GLENEAGLES, Scotland (PA) -- Justin Rose is one of Ian Poulter's closest friends, but even he was "a little bit surprised" when he heard that Poulter was staying in America this week rather than fight for a Ryder Cup place in Scotland.

"Maybe he feels like he's done enough. That's all I can imagine," said Rose, whose own chances of a debut have risen because it will now take three out of five players to go past him on the points table rather than three out of six.

Last season's European No. 1 does not believe British Open runner-up Poulter has been "given the nod" for a wild card by captain Nick Faldo. He has also heard rumors that Paul Casey knows he will be picked -- Casey is also in Boston -- but added: "I think it's going to be a tricky decision that Nick faces.

"Just reading between the lines, he (Poulter) is certainly very well placed in terms of world rankings (23rd against Casey's 35th, Darren Clarke's 56th and Colin Montgomerie's 91st) and the Open is still relatively recent in my opinion," he explained. "But I haven't spoken to him this week and I'll be quite interested obviously to hear what his thoughts are."

Not as interested, though, as he is in the outcome of the Ryder Cup race for places.

Rose will be safe whatever he does providing three of the following do not happen: Nick Dougherty wins, Ross Fisher is in the top two, Martin Kaymer the top five, Oliver Wilson the top seven and Soren Hansen the top 28.

Hansen and Wilson are ninth and 10th and will also qualify for their first appearances if the other three do not perform as they have to.

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