Ex-PGA President doubts LIV Ryder Cup involvement

The PGA of America’s former president, Ted Bishop, believes his previous organisation will collude with the PGA Tour to refuse LIV Golfers a place in the Ryder Cup.

Bishop was relieved of his duties in 2014 for comments he made on social media blasting Ian Poulter, a current LIV player and European Ryder Cup veteran.

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The 38th PGA of America chief took to Twitter last night and sparked fierce debate once again.

He said: “It’s perplexing that some in the national golf media think the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup are run by the PGA Tour instead of @PGA.

“That said, given the relationship between the Tour and PGA of America it’s highly doubtful that any LIV player will represent the @RyderCupUSA.”

It’s perplexing that some in the national golf media think the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup are run by the PGA Tour instead of @PGA . That said, given the relationship between the Tour & PGA of America it’s highly doubtful that any LIV player will represent the @RyderCupUSA .

— Ted Bishop (@tedbishop38pga) May 23, 2023

The comments come after Brooks Koepka, one of the biggest names on Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed tour, won the PGA Championship last weekend.

It was the third Wanamaker trophy Koepka has won, but he became the first LIV player to lift a major as the inquest into whether they will take part in the Ryder Cup wears on.

Despite the second men’s major of the year being run by the PGA of America and not the PGA Tour, Bishop believes the fractured relationship with LIV Golf will play a factor.

The American team captain Zach Johnson has repeatedly refused to comment on whether he will include Koepka and Co. in his lineup this September.

But Bishop’s claim has drawn criticism due to historic ‘insensitive gender-based statements’ that led to his dismissal.

Bishop reacted to comments Poulter made in his autobiography about Tom Watson and Nick Faldo’s captaincy choices in the biennial tournament.

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Poulter, who can no longer play in the Ryder Cup after resigning from the DP World Tour to play for LIV, was disgusted by a tweet response he received.

Bishop had replied: “Faldo’s record stands by itself. Six majors and all-time RC points. Yours vs. His? Lil Girl.”

On Facebook, Bishop wrote: “Sounds like a little schoolgirl squealing during recess. C’MON MAN!”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.