Rory rejects LIV rebel Poulter’s dream of Ryder Cup captaincy

Rory McIlroy has cast doubt on Ian Poulter’s chances of becoming a future Ryder Cup captain for Europe, highlighting Poulter’s disconnect from younger players since joining LIV Golf in 2022. Poulter, a veteran of seven Ryder Cup campaigns, was once seen as a strong candidate for the captaincy. However, McIlroy suggested that Poulter’s reduced involvement in European golf has distanced him from up-and-coming players, making a future leadership role less likely.

Despite the challenges, Poulter has expressed continued hopes of captaining the European team once the ongoing tensions in professional golf ease. Yet McIlroy questioned whether these ambitions are realistic, given Poulter’s absence from the mainstream golf circuit. Having left the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) for LIV Golf, Poulter has lost visibility, particularly among younger golfers, which McIlroy sees as essential for building the rapport needed for a successful Ryder Cup captaincy.

Speaking ahead of the BMW PGA Championship, McIlroy explained, “It’s tough because we don’t really see them anymore. Look at what Luke Donald, the current captain, has done in the last few years—he’s made an effort to stay involved. He’s been present at events like the Czech Republic and Switzerland tournaments, making sure he’s around the players so they feel comfortable with him.”

McIlroy contrasted Donald’s efforts with the situation of LIV Golf defectors like Poulter and Lee Westwood, who have become less visible in European golf. He noted that their absence makes it difficult for younger players to connect with them. “With guys like Poulter and Westwood gone, how can these younger players build a relationship with them when they’re never around?” McIlroy said. “That’s such an important part of the Ryder Cup and the captaincy. I’m not saying Poulter isn’t qualified, but given the current circumstances, you need someone who’s present and engaged.”

Poulter’s departure from the DP World Tour, along with his move to LIV Golf, complicates his potential path to a Ryder Cup captaincy. Under current rules, Poulter is ineligible to lead the European team. He remains hopeful, however, that the ongoing merger negotiations between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and LIV Golf will allow players who left for LIV to regain eligibility for future Ryder Cup involvement.

When asked whether he would be willing to play under a captain associated with LIV Golf in the future, McIlroy, currently dealing with a virus, gave a nuanced response. “It’s a tricky situation. There are some I’d be fine with, and others I wouldn’t. It’s hard to put them all in the same category.”

With merger talks ongoing, Poulter’s future in the Ryder Cup remains uncertain. His hopes for a captaincy largely rest on whether the negotiations will provide a pathway for LIV Golf members to return to the Ryder Cup fold. For now, McIlroy’s remarks suggest that Poulter’s absence from the European golf scene may pose a significant obstacle to his aspirations of leading the team.