Poulter was runner-up at last year's Open Championship

World number 26 Ian Poulter has pulled out of next week's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in order to undergo corrective eye surgery.

The 32-year-old has been struggling to see in poor light.

"It is with great regret that I have to withdraw from the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship," said Poulter.

"My doctors advised me to have this surgery as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration. I'm relieved the problem can be corrected by surgery."

Poulter will now miss what he described as "one of my favourite events on the schedule", but vowed to return in 2010.

The $2,000,000 (�1,300,000) tournament, which gets underway on Thursday, includes three-time major winner Padraig Harrington and world number two Sergio Garcia.

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