Ian Poulter’s eligibility to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup was revoked following his resignation from the DP World Tour in May of last year over his allegiance to LIV Golf.
Ian Poulter has acknowledged that, barring a change in leadership, he might never play for the European Ryder Cup team again.
One of the best Ryder Cup players in Europe, Poulter gained the moniker “The Postman” for his ability to perform well for his continent when facing off against their American rivals. However, it seemed as though the Englishman ended his association with the European team after switching to LIV Golf.
In order to forfeit his Ryder Cup eligibility, Poulter chose to resign his membership from the Wentworth-based circuit last spring after being penalized and suspended by the DP World Tour for switching to the LIV setup.
Due to this, the Majesticks star as well as Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood from LIV missed the event in Rome last autumn. The PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia are currently negotiating a framework agreement that could allow Poulter and company to return to the European setup at some point as the golf world starts to recover.
But given the treatment he and the other defectors have endured over the last two years, Poulter now seems to be planning a comeback. “Last time, too much happened,” Poulter stated to Gulf News. “Too much was said, and I find it really disappointing how some people were handled and discussed in relation to the Ryder Cup,” the author writes.
“Especially when some individuals have dedicated their entire lives to putting in a great deal of effort towards that product. Therefore, for me to be involved, things would need to change from the current state of affairs with the individuals currently in charge of that branch of the organization. From an all-encompassing standpoint, they didn’t need me the last time, so I’m not needed.
“My years of playing the Ryder Cup are done, I’m too old,” he continued, formally announcing the end of his playing career in European blue and gold. I would technically be 49 by the time the next year’s edition comes around because I am 48.”
Poulter became a master of the matchplay competition by participating in seven Ryder Cups and coming out on top five times.
Alongside Garcia, who has won more Ryder Cup points than any other player in the competition’s history, he declared himself a legend of the European squad. Garcia is eager to add to his record-breaking total in 2025, even though it looks Poulter has broken up with Team Europe.
Earlier this month, Garcia declared on the Rick Shiels Golf Show that he would rejoin the European Tour. “I’ve always stated that when I joined LIV, I wanted to continue participating in the DP World Tour. They obviously made it difficult for me to do that, but I want to give myself the best chance to compete in the Ryder Cup.”
It appears there is one key hurdle in the way of the Spaniard’s Ryder Cup return though. Per The Telegraph, Garcia still owes the DP World Tour almost £1million in fines following his move to LIV Golf and would be required to clear the outstanding balance to be able to eligible for selection at Bethpage Black next September.
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