Poutler Declares His Ryder Cup Playing Days Are Over But Does Not Close A Future Captaincy Door

2 months ago by Comments Off on Poutler Declares His Ryder Cup Playing Days Are Over But Does Not Close A Future Captaincy Door

‘Mr Ryder Cup’ Ian Poulter probably was stating the brutally obvious in declaring his days of playing in a European Team are over.

Poulter’s now aged 48 and last pulled on the European team colours in 2021, a year proir to men’s professional golf being torn apart with the formation of LIV.

‘Poults’ is among many LIV stars who were deemed ineligible along with the likes of Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood after they resigned their DP World Tour memberships to sign for the breakaway tour.

While Garcia, the record points scorer in the history of the Ryder Cup, said he is looking to become a member of the DP World Tour again to play in the Ryder Cup, Poulter said he has no such plans.

“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,” he told Gulf News.

“Too much happened last time, 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… I’m not needed, they didn’t need me last time – some people said that we weren’t needed.”

Poulter made his Ryder Cup debut in Bernhard Langers brilliant nine-point winning 2004 team at Oakland Hills.  He next played in the hopelessly captained Nick ‘It’s all about me’ Faldo losing 2008 team but thereafter Poulter was a member of four winning side in 2010, 2012, 2014 and in 2018 under Paul McGinley’s captaincy at Gleneagles.

Poulter earned 16 points including four points in each the 2008 and 2012 Ryder Cups.

Though as disappointed Poulter is in ruling out ever playing again in a Ryder Cup he’s not ruled out the likelihood should those bridges be mended accepting either a vice-captaincy or, and as would have expected before the events of 2022, to lead a European team as captain.

“Absolutely, there’s no question. If you cut me in half, it bleeds Ryder Cup, right?” he said also to Gulf News

“But I also have my own self dignity and respect in there to not allow people to say certain stuff and disrespect you.”

 

 



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