Ian Poulter gets PGA Tour card reprieve

And because Poulter was playing for 2016 points to earn his card from the remainder of 2017, it made it more difficult for him to retain his exempt status.

“Obviously quite a relief to know that I can play my schedule and plan my schedule for the rest of 2017,” said Poulter. “And although I’ve got work to do to maintain my status for a regular season, I’m in a very different situation today than what I was yesterday.

“I wasn’t aware of the FedEx points deduction being that significant. So when it was brought to their attention, obviously a couple of days ago, they realised that Brian and myself were obviously trying to earn points for the 2016 season.

“So it would have been slightly unfair if we were being devalued from our opportunities we had last year in 2016.”

Another beneficiary of the points mix-up is Brian Gay, who it is understood informed the PGA Tour about the discrepancy, with Poulter promising a nice gift for him and his wife Kimberly when he next tees it up at The Players Championship.