Ian Poulter has become ineligible to represent Team Europe at the Ryder Cup after resigning from the DP World Tour, but the Englishman is hoping to make a comeback at some point
Ian Poulter, who forfeited his eligibility after canceling his DP World Tour membership in May, has once again expressed his desire to rejoin the European Ryder Cup team.
Throughout his career, Poulter has established himself as a stalwart of the Ryder Cup; however, after joining LIV Golf, he was deprived of his continental representation privileges at the biennial competition. For the second time in 15 years, the Englishman had to watch the Ryder Cup this autumn from home.
And while the Englishman was away, Luke Donald and his team won seven straight home games to reclaim the title that they had lost two years prior.
Given his deep connection to the event, Poulter would have found it difficult to stay out of it. Even though he has acknowledged that his playing career in European colors is probably over, he is still eager to play an off-course role at upcoming Ryder Cup competitions.
“My playing days are over,” exclaimed Lee Westwood, a fellow former Ryder Cupper and teammate of Poulter’s on Majesticks GC Camp Confidential. Poulter swiftly retorted, “So are mine.”
“If circumstances change and we are ever asked to assist, I would adore being a member of another Ryder Cup team in some capacity. When you cut it in half, the majority of it bleeds Ryder Cup. Despite their LIV allegiances, it is still unclear if Poulter and company will be able to return.
As things stand, negotiations are underway to finalize an agreement between the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour that will allow LIV players to return to their two previous circuits. Naturally, this would enable Poulter to rejoin the Ryder Cup team.
Whether Europe’s LIV cohort will return for 2025 is still up in the air, as the reigning champions are already making preparations for their trip to the United States. In November of last year, Donald was recalled as captain for a second consecutive term, making him the first captain to do so since 1995.
Additionally, the Englishman reappointed Italian stat-man Edoardo Molinari as one of his vice captains for the 2023 campaign on Tuesday. It’s unclear if Poulter will have room, but his chances of rejoining the team are gone without DP World Tour membership.
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