Golf-Eye surgery rules Poulter out for three weeks

By Tony Jimenez

LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - British Open runner-up Ian Poulter has withdrawn from this week's Abu Dhabi Championship in order to have corrective eye surgery.

The 33-year-old Briton has been having problems with his vision in fading light, his manager Paul Dunkley told Reuters on Monday.

Dunkley also said he expected Poulter to be out of action for about three weeks.

Poulter is ranked 27th in the world and enjoyed a memorable 2008.

The Englishman's second place at the Open was his highest finish in a major championship.

Poulter also fully justified captain Nick Faldo's decision to pick him as a European Ryder Cup wildcard in September, collecting four points out of a possible five when United States regained the trophy in Valhalla.

(Editing by Padraic Halpin)