Ian Poulter found himself embroiled in a new Twitter row over his decision not to play in the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, next month.

Poulter is one of several notable absentees - including fellow Ryder Cup winners Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson - who have chosen not to appear. In Garcia's case, it is due to his decision to play in the Irish Open at Royal County Down, the week after the PGA Championship.

For Poulter, however, it is a matter of the Wentworth course not suiting his game.

I've played 13 PGA's at Wentworth and had 1 Top 10. I've had 8 MC. Would Usain Bolt compete in a marathon. I didn't think so.... Enough said — Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) April 21, 2015

Simple terms. I've won 19.11 world ranking points from poss 832 over 13 years. & for tied 3rd at Open in 2012 I won 28.50 Points. — Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) April 21, 2015

It provoked some sardonic responses from Poulter's followers:

@IanJamesPoulter If you had the same record in the Open would you not play that either? — Phil Casey (@pcaseysafc) April 21, 2015

@IanJamesPoulter And you have played in how many majors ? and won none will you give up on them to ? fool. — CompleteBalls (@ReturnsAgain) April 21, 2015

It also prompted a response from fellow pro Ian Ellis, who will be teeing it up at Wentworth on May 21:

Shame @IanJamesPoulter isn't @BMWPGA (poor record in event) Not being funny but it ain't as bad as my record & I can't wait to play😜 — Ian Ellis (@necky_fade) April 21, 2015

To which Poulter replied: "Ian I hope you play well mate. It's a great tournament but my stats don't lie. I can't shovel s*** uphill forever."

While Poulter, Garcia and Stenson will be absent, world No.1 Rory McIlroy will be at Wentworth to defend the title he won last year in the same week that he called off his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki.