Ian Poulter joins Talor Gooch in making audacious (!) LIV Golf / Ryder Cup claim
Ian Poulter says LIV Golf events are like 'mini Ryder Cups' as the Englishman opened up on his hopes of one day returning to be the Postman.
LIV Golf events are like 'mini Ryder Cups'.
Not my words, but those of Ian Poulter, who admitted this week he still harbours hopes of returning to Ryder Cup Europe as either a captain or vice captain.
"Having played seven, and been vice-captain at one of those, I have such a passion and a love for the Ryder Cup," Poulter told a pool of reporters before teeing it up at at the International Series England event on the Asian Tour at Close House.
He added:
Poulter may have a chance in the future to become the Postman once again after his home circuit, the DP World Tour, entered into a 'framework agreement' with the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's primary backer, Saudi Arabia's PIF.
The organisations have until the end of the year to formalise the deal.
Shortly after that 6 June announcement, DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley outlined the potential routes back for the LIV 'rebels'.
"As far as the Ryder Cup, there are only two criteria to being a Ryder Cup player. You have to be European and you have to be a DP World Tour member," he previously said.
"After that, you can qualify or Luke can select you."
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Poulter was one of several Ryder Cup Europe stalwarts to resign his membership to avoid further financial penalties after the DP World Tour won the legal fight to impose fines on those who played in LIV events without permission.
Pelley later said that LIV players could change their mind and apply for reinstatement, making the golfers eligible for future participation.
But it was too late to be considered for next month's showdown in Rome.
And Pelley emphatically stated that whilst the tour would consider their applications to return in good faith, the players would still need to serve their suspensions and pay their fines.
Pelley has recently come under fire by Richard Bland, another LIV player, who has called on the Canadian and his PGA Tour counterpart Jay Monahan to resign.
As for Poulter, he was keen to point out that he thinks LIV Golf is thriving.
It is anticipated that next year there will be a transfer window and a transfer deadline day.
Will we see David Feherty in a green and white tie announcing a shock Majesticks signing at the ELEVENTH hour subject to a medical?
One can only dream.
"There's a team vibe [in LIV Golf], which all of us guys that have been fortunate enough to play on LIV absolutely thrive on," Poulter added.
"It's become a real sort of community type feeling amongst all the players and all the team members, the team staff, so it gives like a mini Ryder Cup feel into every single team that plays."
Related: Talor Gooch clarifies Ryder Cup comment
In other Ryder Cup news, United States skipper Zach Johnson has revealed he's had practically zero communication with LIV players.
He also dropped a hint that Justin Thomas may not be involved after his poor season.
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