23 January 2024 , 16:43
655
0
Ian Poulter has once again reiterated his willingness to return to the European Ryder Cup fold having given up his eligibility after resigning his DP World Tour membership last May.
Poulter has announced himself as stalwart of the Ryder Cup during his career, but the consequences of joining LIV Golf have seen him lose his right to represent his continent at the biennial event. The Englishman was forced to watch from home for just the second time in 15 years at last Autumn's Ryder Cup.
And in the Englishman's absence Europe regained the title they had lost two years earlier, as Luke Donald and his team claimed their seventh straight victory on home soil.
READ MORE: Luke Donald confirms key man returns for Team Europe's Ryder Cup defence
For Poulter, not being involved would have been a bitter pill to swallow amid his strong connection to the event. And whilst he has admitted his playing days in European colours are more than likely over, he would still be keen to take on off-course role at future Ryder Cup events.
Bubba Watson shares details of horror knee injury ahead of LIV Golf debut
Speaking on Majesticks GC Camp Confidential, his LIV teammate and fellow former Ryder Cupper Lee Westwood claimed: "My playing days are over," to which Poulter quickly responded: "So are mine.
"I would love to be part of another Ryder Cup team in some fashion if things change and we are ever asked to help out. You cut it in half and for the most part it bleeds Ryder Cup.” It still remains to be seen whether there will be a path back for Poulter and co, amid their LIV loyalties.
Ian Poulter is a Ryder Cup icon (Sportsfile via Getty Images)As things stand a deal between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) is being worked on, which is expected to integrate LIV players back into their two former circuits. This would of course allow Poulter to return to the Ryder Cup fold.
It remains unclear whether this will see Europe's LIV cohort return for 2025, with the defending champions' plans already in full flow ahead of the trip Stateside. Last November, Donald became the first captain since 1995 to be recalled as captain for a second-straight term.
And on Tuesday the Englishman reappointed one of his 2023-winning vice-captains in Italian stat-man Edoardo Molinari. Whether there will be space for Poulter remains to be seen, but without DP World Tour membership his path back into the team remains closed.