McIlroy doubts Poulter’s suitability as Ryder Cup Captain
Northern Irishman isn't convinced he would be a wise choice to lead the European Team
Rory McIlroy has raised doubts about whether Ian Poulter could captain Europe's Ryder Cup team in the future, despite Poulter expressing his desire to do so even as a LIV Golf member.
Poulter made the admission in an interview with Al Arabiya English earlier this week, but he is currently ineligible to participate in the Ryder Cup in any form after giving up his DP World Tour membership shortly after joining LIV Golf.
Current DP World Tour regulations stipulate that any member who fails to comply with the minimum Counting Tournament Regulation in any one Official Season or who does not take up Ranked Membership in an Official Season in which he is so eligible will be ineligible thereafter to be selected as the European Ryder Cup Captain or Vice Captain.
Wile these regulations might change if negotiations between the Public Investment Fund (PIF), DP World Tour, and PGA Tour succeed in mending the sport's current divides, McIlroy remains skeptical about Poulter's involvment in the biennial contest.
“I think it's hard because we don't really see them anymore,” said McIlory.
“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 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.
“With the guys that left, Poulter, Westwood, how can these young up and comers 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.”