LIV’s Thomas Pieters makes brutal admission about Ryder Cup future

Thomas Pieters still hopes to play another Ryder Cup one day, but has no regrets whatsoever about the extent of a career slump that has seen him fall off the European team’s radar.

Speaking in the latest edition of bunkered, on-sale now, Pieters reflected on the whirlwind of his sole appearance against the United States at Hazeltine in 2016, as well as the rollercoaster eight years that have followed both on and off the course.

A fearless Pieters, then 24, won four out of his five matches as a rookie wildcard for Darren Clarke’s side in an otherwise humbling 17-11 defeat to the Patrick Reed-inspired American team in Minnesota.

At that stage, Pieters was tipped for stardom. He was the top points scorer across both teams and Europe’s first debutant to play in all five sessions since Brookline in 1999. A heir, perhaps, to the ageing Ian Poulter and Sergio in Garcia in blue and gold.

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But, for myriad reasons, that has not materialised.

The Belgian, 32, now plies his trade on the LIV Golf League after jumping ship in January 2023 and has not played in a major – never mind a Ryder Cup – since last year’s Open at Hoylake.

On the expectations of him becoming a European stalwart, Pieters admitted: “I knew people would say stuff like that. I probably believed it and believed in myself but I have no regrets. It’s just something you can tell your grandkids, I guess.” 

Following a “lonely” stint on the PGA Tour after his Ryder Cup heroics, Pieters returned to Europe and won three titles in six years. The LIV offer came during a resurgent period where he had risen to  No.34 in the world rankings and got back into Ryder Cup contention, but also at a time when he was desperate to spend more time with his young children.

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“Time at home and you can’t deny the financial gain was great as well,” Pieters said, explaining why he accepted Greg Norman’s call. “When I quit golf in five or ten years, my kids won’t care how many times I’ve won or how many times I’ve played in the Ryder Cup.

“It’s selfish if I want to win and play that many Ryder Cups. It’s not going to change me as a person. I care about it, but not as much as everybody thinks I do. My kids are going to outlive my golf performance by a long way. I care about golf but it’s not my life.

“Honestly, I couldn’t play 25 to 30 events a year. I think I’d quit. It was a big part of me coming over having young kids and having more time at home. At first I thought I could spend all that time practising and now you look after your kids and practice. I’ll find the perfect solution soon and be the best version of myself on the golf course.”

• Get the full interview with Thomas Pieters in the November edition of bunkered, on-sale now from all good newsagents. Alternatively, click here to subscribe and never miss an edition. International subscriptions are also available.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.