Justin Rose responds to Poulter’s Ryder Cup captaincy claims

Justin Rose has responded to fellow Englishman Ian Poulter claiming that he still harbours hopes of one day becoming the European Ryder Cup captain. 

Poulter, 48, was once a shoo-in to lead the side but resigned his DP World Tour membership in 2023 amid ongoing friction in the men’s game, thereby making himself ineligible from any future involvement in the biennial dust-up.

However, speaking to Al Arabiya English, he outlined his hope that a “sense of coming together” between professional men’s golf feuding factions would give “the opportunity to be able to become captain” of a side he represented seven times between 2004 and 2021.

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Compatriot Rose was asked about that prospect ahead of this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

“I think we need things to accelerate quickly,” said the former world No.1. “We’re seeing scenarios with Tyrrell [Hatton] and Jon [Rahm] having gone [to LIV], as well, but they’re still very much current in terms of form of playing in the Ryder Cup.

“I know there’s a few outstanding I’s to be dotted and T’s to be crossed for them to be eligible, but I think the sentiment in the team is we want the best players playing. I think if that’s the sentiment, then of course the same would be extended into the captaincy role, I’d imagine, or theoretically anyway.

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“But I think the world of golf does need to start resolving itself quickly because there is still a little bit of a divide between us and them. I think it’s hard to make those admissions back into the fray unless we’re all on the same path pretty quickly.

“I think for that to happen for Poults [becoming captain], I can definitely see that pathway.”

Rose added that Europe winning at Bethpage next year would be one of the “biggest achievements”.

“I think it’s great we have that opportunity first,” he said. “If the Americans were coming here, that would be their objective. So it’s quite nice for us to have that as an opportunity. Nothing to lose.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor