European Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter has had his driver stolen and has pulled out of the Singapore Open as a consequence.

The world number 25, who was top points scorer at this year's transatlantic showdown with the US in September, did not receive a replacement in time for the event, which starts today.

Poulter's driver was taken during last week's HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, where he finished joint 16th alongside Padraig Harrington.

Explaining his decision not to play in Singapore, the 32-year-old said he did not want to move down the world rankings.

'It's disappointing as I did not come all this way not to play,' he said.

'But with so many world ranking points at stake, if I played badly I may have lost ground.'

Harrington, Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke are all playing in the Asian event, while India's Anirban Lahiri has been drafted in to replace Poulter.