Ian Poulter has pulled out of this week's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship to undergo corrective eye surgery.

The Ryder Cup star has been advised to have the operation after struggling to see properly in poor light and is expected to undergo surgery immediately.

"It is with great regret that I have to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship," Poulter told the UAE-based newspaper Gulf News. "I have been having a problem with my vision in poor light and my doctors have advised me that I should have this surgery as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration.

"I am relieved that the problem can be corrected with surgery but very disappointed to miss one of my favorite events on the schedule," he added. "However, I'll be back in Abu Dhabi next year for another crack at the Falcon."

The line-up for the tournament still includes three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, world No. 2 Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, and Colin Montgomerie.

NORTHRIDGE APPOINTED: Nigel Northridge, former chief executive of Gallaher Group, has accepted an invitation to join the European Tour Board as non-executive Tour Group Director.

"We are delighted that Nigel has agreed to join," said Board Chairman Neil Coles. "This is a timely appointment coming as it does when we are on the cusp of a new era in the history of the Tour with the launching of the Race to Dubai.

"Nigel brings with him a wealth of experience from the international market place which will greatly support our continued development of the game globally."

Northridge, 52, commented: "I have had a passion for the sport of golf, in all its facets, since childhood and look forward to contributing to its future development."

During his 30 years at Gallaher, he presided over a sponsorship program that included the Benson and Hedges International Open, part of the European Tour from 1971 to 2003.

THEY DID SEVE PROUD: There is a small part of Seve Ballesteros that is glad Europe's perfect record at The Royal Trophy is over, according to the Spaniard's nephew.

The five-time major winner and Ryder Cup legend was the visionary behind the Ryder Cup-style team match-play event and led Europe to victory in 2006 and 2007. Ballesteros missed the third edition of the event, but was watching on television from his home in Spain, where he is recovering from surgery on a brain tumor.

Japan's Joe Ozaki led Asia to a 10-6 triumph over Jose Maria Olazabal's European side to exact a measure of revenge following the record nine-point drubbing inflicted by Ballesteros' side two years ago. Although disappointed to see Europe's run ended, the match-play maestro believes the Asian team's triumph shows the potential of The Royal Trophy.

"Of course Seve is European to the core," said Ivan Ballesteros, one of the competition's promoters. "He will always be associated with great European victories in the Ryder Cup, as well as his individual triumphs. So any European defeat hurts.

"But part of him would have felt a glow of pride that his theory about what The Royal Trophy could do for Asian golf was starting to come true," he added. "Their richly deserved victory has made the competition a much more level playing field. The days when Europe felt they merely had to turn up here with a half-decent team in order to win are clearly in the past."

The result has increased Ballesteros' desire to return in 2010 and reclaim the trophy.

"He feels the Asian players should be congratulated for their outstanding play," added Ivan. "But he also said the result made him even more determined to overcome his health problems in time to be back next year to try to win The Royal Trophy back."

Copyright 2009 PA Sport. All rights reserved.