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Ian Poulter is seventh in the European Ryder Cup World points standings

Europe's top golfers will be seeking valuable Ryder Cup points at the USPGA Championship, which starts on Thursday.

The final major of the season will see 93 of the world's top 100 players converge on Oakland Hills in Michigan.

Open champion Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood have been in fine form, while Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia need to produce good performances.

Defending champion Tiger Woods is absent because of knee surgery, so Phil Mickelson is the highest-ranked player.

Poulter, who made his Ryder Cup debut in the crushing 2004 victory, is one of eight Europeans returning to Oakland Hills, alongside Harrington, Westwood, Garcia, Paul Casey, Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Colin Montgomerie.

The Englishman finished runner-up to Harrington at The Open before a respectable 16th place at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday, propelling him to seventh in the world points list but still outside the automatic qualifying places.

But Poulter, who trails compatriot Justin Rose by 20,000 points in the European points list, is not getting too concerned about the permutations.

I remember if you missed fairways it was difficult to hit greens Lee Westwood

"I understand that I'm 20,000 euros behind Justin and about 25 world ranking points out of position on the world list.

"I understand where I am and I understand that these four days coming up are going to be very important.

"I can't worry about it too much. I can't keep thinking about it because it will take its toll, and I don't want to keep letting it affect my routine for this week.

"If I play solid for the next four tournaments that I'm going to play, if I'm not in the side, I'm sure going to have a chance to be getting a pick. That's what I do know."

No European has won the USPGA since Scottish-born Tommy Armour managed the feat back 1930.

Westwood, who partners Geoff Ogilvy and Zach Johnson, will go into the PGA on a high following his runner-up finish behind Vijay Singh at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the USPGA Championship

"I think it's now 300 yards longer," Westwood said. "They're not forced to play it right from the tips, but they probably will do.

"I think they'll probably set it up equally as tough. It was pretty hard when we played it. I remember if you missed fairways it was difficult to hit greens.

"I remember the greens being very undulating and having to almost slow them down, and the ball was rolling around on the ninth green and the 18th green."

Scotland's Alastair Forsyth will be among the first group to tee off at 1230 BST on Thursday.