Justin Rose believes Ian Poulter could still captain Ryder Cup Team Europe in the future despite his former teammate plying his trade on LIV Golf.
In a recent interview with Al Arabiya English, Poulter revealed he would still welcome the chance to lead Team Europe in the biennial contest.
Though it may not happen soon - given Poulter would need to rejoin the DP World Tour, settle his LIV Golf fines, and compete in four regular Tour events each season to regain eligibility - there is optimism that ongoing discussions between the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the DP World Tour, and the PGA Tour might eventually repair the rift in the sport.
While no agreement has been reached yet, LIV Golf stars Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm have both expressed their desire to compete in the Ryder Cup.
The duo recently appealed sanctions from the DP World Tour for participating in LIV events, ensuring they could retain their Tour membership by playing four events this season and remain eligible for next year’s showdown at Bethpage, New York.
Rose, a former Ryder Cup teammate of Poulter, believes there may still be hope for his compatriot to captain Europe, especially if the team shares the same desire to keep players like Rahm and Hatton eligible for the competition.
“We’re seeing scenarios with Tyrrell (Hatton) and Jon (Rahm) having gone, but they’re still very much current in terms of form of playing in the Ryder Cup,” said Rose ahead of the BMW PGA Championship.
“And I know there’s a few outstanding I’s to be dotted and T’s to be crossed for them to be eligible, but I think the sentiment in the team is we want the best players playing. I think if that’s the sentiment, then of course the same would be extended into the captaincy role, I’d imagine, or theoretically anyway.”
He later added: “I think for that to happen for Poults, I can definitely see that pathway, but I think the world of golf needs to make it happen, as well, for him.”
Rose will get his own qualification for next year’s Ryder Cup underway this week when he tees it up at the BMW PGA Championship – the DP World Tour’s blue riband event.
He will then compete at the French Open next month before heading to the UAE for the DP World Tour Play-Offs – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship. The latter will mark his first appearance at the event since 2019.
“Haven't been down to Dubai for the season ender in a few years now, so it's kind of an event I've been missing playing, I’m excited about that opportunity,” said Rose.
“Obviously it would be lovely to turn a winless year into a non-winless year. It would be great to hoist something before the end of the year. That would be my primary objective.”
