European legend Ian Poulter wants a “compromise” in the golf wars to face the Americans again – even if he does not miss playing on the DP World Tour
Ian Poulter is still hoping a “coming together in golf” will see him become the European Ryder Cup captain (
Image: David Cannon/Getty Images)
LIV Golf star Ian Poulter is still hoping a “coming together in golf” will see him become the European Ryder Cup captain – even if he admits he does not miss playing on the DP World Tour.
The Ryder Cup legend had been lined up to lead Europe against Phil Mickelson’s USA team in next year’s noisy showdown at Bethpage Black in New York. But both superstars joined the Saudi-backed breakaway tour in 2022 – and Poulter resigned from the DP World Tour the following year.
Talks to thrash out a deal between the PGA and DP World Tours and the Saudi Public Investment Fund are ongoing. Poulter starred in seven Ryder Cup teams – and was nicknamed The Postman for always delivering points.
Now 48, the Majesticks GC co-captain said: “It goes without saying, if you cut me in half like a stick of rock, it says: ‘Ryder Cup’. I have been part of so many Ryder Cups. It’s been a huge part of my golfing life, some of the proudest moments of my career. I’m hopeful one day there’s a sense of coming together that would enable the likes of myself, and not just myself, the opportunity to be able to become captain.
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“As it stands today, that is not going to happen. But I would love that opportunity to lead a team out. Let’s see what happens, there’s going to need to be some compromise for that to happen. I’m hopeful one day we’ll see it.”
John Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton did not resign their DP World Tour memberships and are still eligible to play in the Ryder Cup if they serve bans and pay fines for playing competing LIV events. The Spaniard is appealing against the fines.
“The rules that have been set in place are difficult – there’s no compromise,” Poulter told Dubai-based Al Arabiya English. “I think everyone is aware that players need to play their minimum amount on the European tour to be eligible to play. It’s difficult for me personally – I find myself in a tricky position, where I’m not a member, and I obviously can’t become eligible to be part of a team or even help out as a vice Captain or Captain unless I do become a member again. It’s not the best scenario, but it’s one that the tour is sticking to.”
Poulter has now dropped down to world NO.773 and is no longer eligible to qualify for Majors although he could still enter qualifying. “I am very hopeful that things will change moving forward,” he said.
Poulter admits he does not miss playing on the DP World Tour ( Getty Images)
Asked what he misses about the DP World Tour and the PGA World Tour, the former world No.5 said: “Just a few friends, that’s it. I have played a lot of golf on both of those tours – up to 600 events. They have and will always have a very strong product. For me, the LIV product has been very refreshing, to be in a team environment and have teammates that I have the opportunity to play with week in week out, and to be able to grow this franchise. What I miss about the European Tour, the Ryder Cup, for instance, I get on a weekly basis for the 14 weeks I play here on LIV. So what I miss there I gain all of it back on this side.”
Rory McIlroy has agreed to play in a PGA v LIV matchplay showdown with Scottie Scheffler against Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau in Las Vegas in December. The Ulsterman has been a vociferous LIV critic.
But Poulter said: “Rory is one of the best players in the world – he has been now for a very long time.
“He hasn’t won that Major now for a long time and I am sure it is hurting him like it is all his fans who want to see him win another one. Rory is working tirelessly hard to get another Major and I am sure he will.”
