Rory McIlroy made "resentment" accusation at Ian Poulter over Ryder Cup row

30 September 2023 , 09:00

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Rory McIlroy has been unequivocal in his response over LIV Golf rebels who failed to make the cut for this year's Ryder Cup (Image: Getty Images)

Team Europe captain Luke Donald failed to pick a single LIV Golf rebel for this year's Ryder Cup - but there will be no complaints from Rory McIlroy after a trio of former stalwarts missed out.

The Northern Irishman has been unequivocal in his stance towards players who have made the move to the Saudi-backed circuit in the past. He has not exactly held back even when it comes to former European teammates amid the civil war within the sport over the past 18 months.

Last summer, the four-time major champion made his disapproval known in relation to Ian Poulter's decision to launch an appeal against the DP World Tour. The tour had fined defectors £100,000 and issued them a ban from the Scottish Open, and the Englishman led an attempt to overturn his punishment.

However, McIlroy was seemingly less than impressed with Poulter, who he appeared alongside at the Ryder Cup six times, accusing him of fuelling "resentment". He told the BBC: "I think at this stage, if you've gone over to play on another tour then go and play on that tour.

"You've basically left all your peers behind to make more money, which is fine. But just stay over there. Don't try to come back and play over here again."

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The long-term impact of his decision to join the LIV Tour was laid bare prior to this year's Ryder Cup in Rome. Alongside the likes of Lee Westwood, and Sergio Garcia, his defection saw them forced to give up their DP World Tour until 2024, thus ruling them unable to earn qualification for the Ryder Cup.

In the case of Poulter and Garcia, this edition of the Ryder Cup represents the first time the former Team Europe mainstays have missed the cut since 2006. In fact, the only LIV Golf player to make the cut for either team at Marco Simone is Brooks Koepka, who was picked by Zach Johnson.

Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia will not play for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup in Rome (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

However, McIlroy is unsympathetic in his attitude towards the rebels who have unceremoniously been snubbed for the 44th edition of the competition. He admitted: "I mean, it’s certainly a little strange not having them around but I think this week, of all weeks, it’s going to hit home with them that they are not here.

"I think they are going to miss being here more than we’re missing them. This week is a realisation that the decision they made has led to not being a part of this week, and that’s tough.

He added: "The landscape in golf is ever-changing and more dynamic, and we’ll see what happens and whether they will be part of it in the future. I always thought leading up to this week is when it’s going to hit home that they are not going to be here."

Tom Beattie