VIRGINIA WATER – Rory McIlroy believes it will be challenging for Ian Poulter or Lee Westwood to become a future Ryder Cup captain due to their lack of connection with Europe’s emerging stars after moving to LIV Golf.
Poulter was a key player for Europe at Ryder Cups and consistently delivered top performances during the team event, accumulating 16 points from seven appearances.
Currently competing on the breakaway LIV circuit, Poulter expressed his desire to lead the European team as captain in a recent interview with Al Arabiya English, despite not being able to do so at the moment due to resigning from the European tour after joining LIV.
McIlroy mentioned that players like Poulter and Westwood might find it challenging to reintegrate themselves after a contentious departure from the European tour. He cited current Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald’s efforts to connect with the team’s promising players before last year’s matches against the United States near Rome.
McIlroy emphasized the importance of making emerging players feel comfortable and building rapport with potential Ryder Cup captains. He pointed out the absence of Poulter and Westwood, who are rarely present in Europe to engage with the younger players.
While acknowledging Poulter’s credentials for a Ryder Cup captaincy based on his passion and previous results, McIlroy stressed the need for captains to be actively present and engaged, a quality lacking in the LIV defectors.
Jon Rahm, another player who joined LIV Golf, remains eligible for the next Ryder Cup team after appealing European tour sanctions. McIlroy praised Rahm for adhering to the rules and highlighted his potential contribution to the European team based on his performances in LIV Golf.
Rahm’s victory in his first season with LIV showcased his talent and ability to excel in competitive settings.
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