LIV Golf duo Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter make same admission over golf futures

23 January 2024 , 19:18

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Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have opened up on their future (Image: Getty Images)

LIV Golf duo Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have both confirmed that their Team Europe playing days in the Ryder Cup are over.

Westwood and Poulter have announced themselves as stalwarts of the European Ryder Cup during their careers, having competed in the matchplay event on 18 occasions between them. But the pair were cut from the European setup for last Autumn's event in Rome amid their LIV loyalties.

Westwood and Poulter were two of a number of LIV stars who were forced to resign their DP World Tour memberships last May, having been sanctioned for making the Saudi switch.

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In doing so, the duo gave up the chance to represent their continent on the Ryder Cup stage. They were forced to watch last year's clash with the Americans from home. With framework agreement negotiations ongoing between both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), they could soon make a comeback.

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Once completed it is expected that players from the LIV setup will be able to return to their former tours, allowing Westwood and Poulter to regain their eligibility. Still, with Westwood and Poulter aged 50 and 48 respectively, they believe they have played in their last Ryder Cup.

Appearing on the latest episode of Majesticks GC Camp Confidential, the two LIV captains were discussing their future with the Ryder Cup, where Westwood claimed: "My playing days are over." This was then echoed by Poulter, who added: "Mine are too."

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood both joined LIV Golf in 2022

Whilst the comments may prove tough to hear for European golf fans, it may not have come as a surprise following Europe's changing of the guard at Marco Simone last October. Luke Donald's winning team in Rome was made up of four rookies, with Nicolai Hojgaard, Robert MacIntyre, Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka all playing a part.

The future is indeed bright for Team Europe, who will head to Bethpage Black with plenty of confidence that they can win an away Ryder Cup for just the second time this century. Poulter meanwhile is hoping he can be involved in some capacity moving forward, away from competing on the course.

He said: "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 us in half and for the most part it bleeds Ryder Cup.”

Joshua Lees