Ian Poulter believes Rory McIlroy's decision to play on the US PGA Tour next year should allow him to improve his game enough to become a contender at one of the Major championships.

McIlroy announced on Tuesday his intention to take up the option of playing on the PGA Tour in 2010 and plans to combine it with events on the European Tour.

Poulter is fully aware of the pitfalls that await McIlroy, having played on the PGA Tour and the European Tour himself since 2005, but he thinks it will help the young Ulsterman's game.

"The opportunity's there so you can't blame him for wanting to give it a go," said Englishman Poulter.

"He's got one hell of a golf game. He hits it great. It might put him in good stead going into some of the Majors.

"To face some of the fields that are going to be strong in the Majors, it might help him to get better quicker."

While the stronger fields make playing in the United States a significant challenge, Poulter believes it is the travel between Europe and America that really takes its toll.

"Rory's got himself in a position where he's 17th in the world," said Poulter.

"He's very quickly put himself on the big stage of golf and the way he plays golf, if he widens where he wants to play then that's great.

"He's going to find himself playing in certain tournaments which have stronger fields than what he has played in over the last few years.

"He's played in all the Majors now and in the WGCs. It's up to him and if he wants to test himself at that level, then it's hard work. It seriously is hard work."

Poulter, meanwhile, goes into this week's Hong Kong Open having won at the Barclays Singapore Open two weeks ago, his first victory on the European Tour since 2006.

The win, coupled with his performance at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai last week when he was tied for 14th place, have moved him up to 10th in the Race to Dubai.

"It was key because I hadn't won for a couple of years and it's always nice to get back in that circle," he said.

"Sentosa's a tough old course so with that being my first week back out I was surprised to be five in front after two days, but I was happy to finish the job off and move on and put points on the board," he said.