Ian Poulter blasts Ryder Cup treatment and offers frank admission over Team Europe return

Ian Poulter has lost his eligibility to compete in the Ryder Cup for Europe after the Englishman resigned from the DP World Tour last May due to his LIV Golf loyalties.

Ian Poulter has admitted he may never be involved with the European Ryder Cup team again – unless those in charge are replaced.

Poulter, a standout Ryder Cup player for Europe, was known as ‘The Postman’ for his clutch performances against the American team.

However, after joining LIV Golf, Poulter seemed to sever ties with the European team. Poulter decided to resign from the DP World Tour after being penalized and suspended for joining the LIV setup, forfeiting his Ryder Cup eligibility as a result.

The Majesticks star missed the Autumn event in Rome last year, along with Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia from LIV.

However, there is hope for Poulter and his colleagues to rejoin the European setup soon as negotiations are ongoing between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to reach a framework agreement.

For Poulter however it appears he has now plans to make a return amid the treatment he and his fellow defectors have received over the past two years. “Too much happened last time,” Poulter told Gulf News. “Too much was said and that’s extremely disappointing from my perspective with the way certain people were treated and spoken about with reference to the Ryder Cup.

“Especially when certain people have committed a lot of their life to work extremely hard for that product. So, the way it stands right now, with the current people that run that level of the organisation, things would have to change for me to be involved. That’s from an everything perspective, I’m not needed, they didn’t need me last time.”

Officially confirming his playing days in European blue and gold were over, he added: “My years of playing the Ryder Cup are done, I’m too old. I’m 48, so I’d technically be 49 by the time next year’s edition rolls around.”

Poulter played in seven Ryder Cups, and found himself on the winning side in five of those as he established himself as a master of the matchplay event.

“He declared himself a legendary member of the European team, along with Garcia, who holds the record for the most Ryder Cup points earned by any player in history.

Poulter seems to have concluded his association with Team Europe, but Garcia remains eager to increase his record-setting score in 2025.”

Earlier this month, Garcia informed the Rick Shiels Golf Show that he will be rejoining the European Tour. He mentioned his desire to continue being a member of the DP World Tour when he joined LIV. Despite facing some challenges, he wants to increase his chances of playing in the Ryder Cup.

According to The Telegraph, the main obstacle for the Spaniard’s return to the Ryder Cup seems to be the fact that Garcia still has to pay nearly £1 million in fines to the DP World Tour after his switch to LIV Golf. In order to be considered for selection at Bethpage Black in September, he would need to settle the remaining balance.