“Shame on them” – Ian Poulter blasts Ryder Cup decision-makers

Ian Poulter has hit out at the prospect of he and fellow LIV golfer being denied the chance to play on and captain future Ryder Cup sides.

The 47-year-old Englishman had long been considered a certainty to lead Europe in at least one edition of the biennial contest, having represented the side with distinction across seven appearances.

However, that was thrown into doubt when he joined the LIV Golf League last year.

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Poulter’s switch to the Saudi-funded enterprise triggered a suspension from the DP World Tour, which has responsibility for staging the Ryder Cup on this side of the Atlantic.

However, he and fellow LIV ‘rebels’ have challenged those sanctions and, last month, took their complaint to an arbitration panel in London. An outcome from that hearing has not yet been revealed. If successful, it is expected that LIV golfers like Poulter will be free to resume their DP World Tour careers and, potentially, feature in future Ryder Cups. If not, they likely won’t.

In a Q&A with Instagram followers, Poulter was asked for his thoughts on LIV’s longevity and the prospect of never becoming Europe’s Ryder Cup captain.

“[The] IV Golf League is here to stay,” he said. “It’s only 30 rounds old and every start up business takes time.

“I’m so proud to see how far it’s come in such a short space of time. It’s an incredible business and product and it will be incredible.

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“And if the DP World Tour chose to not have any LIV golfer as captain after they have supported them and still do for over 25 years, then shame on them. Sad but that’s on them.

Time will tell and once all the info is out things will change I’m sure.”

Poulter finished 35th in his most recent LIV Golf start in Arizona at the weekend.

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