Ian Poulter has admitted that he needs to find a new approach to regaining his form on the greens as he looks to climb the world rankings again.

The 39-year-old has slipped to 33rd in the world this year, and despite suggesting that he is still performing well from tee to green, he concedes that his putting is preventing him from competing for victories.

"I'm not disappointed how I played because I thought I played good but I'm disappointed I didn't hole my fair share of putts," Poulter, who missed the cut at The Open, told reporters.

"It's back to the drawing board now. I've got to try to visually see my lines. Some weeks you just can't see the right lines, you can't visualise the ball going in the hole, and that puts the rest of your game under pressure to hit it close.

"I've had great times and won great tournaments but my putting has held me back. I need to work harder on that, put in even more hours. It's time for me to put more emphasis on my putting."

Poulter will return to action at next week's WGC Bridgestone Invitational.