Rory McIlroy sends direct message to Ian Poulter over Ryder Cup captaincy hopes
Rory McIlroy has offered his thoughts after LIV Golf's Ian Poulter admitted he still hopes to lead Europe at the Ryder Cup.
Rory McIlroy admitted he found it difficult to envision Ian Poulter leading Europe in the Ryder Cup because the Englishman is 'not around anymore'.
Poulter resigned his DP World Tour membership in May 2023 after the European-based circuit won their landmark arbitration case against the LIV Golf 'rebels'.
Before men's professional golf tore itself apart, it always seemed a certainty that the 48-year-old would captain the blue and gold at some point in his career.
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A 2025 showdown between himself and Phil Mickelson at Bethpage Black in New York was touted.
Now, it seems, that Poulter is unlikely to get the opportunity.
Earlier in the week The Postman, who has a 15-8-2 record in the Cup, spoke of his renewed hope for a future captaincy if the world of men's professional golf comes together again.
Whilst McIlroy made it clear to reporters before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth that Poults 'has the credentials', he believes that any captain needs to be building a rapport with players.
"We don't really see them anymore," McIlroy, 35, said when asked about the prospect of Poulter or even Lee Westwood taking on the captaincy in the future.
"I'm not sure if Poults gave up his European Tour membership.
"You know, you need someone around that's comfortable. You look at what Luke has done the last few years, he's really made an effort to come over.
"He played in Czech Republic. He was in Switzerland.
"He's making an effort to be around the players and be -- make the players feel comfortable with him, the up-and-comers that haven't had a chance yet to be on a team or trying to make a team."
McIlroy added: "With the guys that left, Poulter, Westwood, we don't -- how can these young up and comers, you know, build a rapport with them when they are never here?
"You can't see them. I think that's a really important part of a Ryder Cup and a Ryder Cup captaincy.
"I'm not saying that Poulter doesn't have the credentials to be a Ryder Cup captain, but I just think with the current state of where everything is, you need someone that's around and showing their face as much as they can.
"Right now, that honestly just can't be them because they are elsewhere."
McIlroy also offered his take on what the stumbling blocks are between the PGA Tour and Saudi PIF to consummate last June's framework agreement.
The Northern Irishman suggested scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice and the selfish behaviour of other players is to blame.
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