McIlroy "Opposes LIV Golf Players as Ryder Cup Captain"

Recent Polter Captain Hope Statement Expresses Own Intention
"No Connection with Young Players of European Team"

‘PGA flagship star’ Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) clearly expressed his opposition to LIV Golf players serving as captains of the Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy is giving an interview at the DP World Tour BMW PGA Championship official press conference. [Virginia Water, UK=Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News]

On the 18th (local time), during a press interview at the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) BMW PGA Championship held at Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, UK, he emphasized, "Players who have transferred to LIV Golf cannot serve as captains of the Ryder Cup European team," adding, "This is because they no longer have any connection with the young players currently joining the European team."

McIlroy revealed his opinion after Ian Poulter (England), a LIV Golf member, expressed his hope to become the captain of the Ryder Cup European team in an interview with a Saudi Arabian news outlet. Poulter was a key player for the European team, having participated in the golf competition against the United States, the Ryder Cup, seven times and earned 16 points. While acknowledging Poulter’s Ryder Cup achievements, McIlroy showed skepticism, saying, "How can players like Poulter, who left for LIV Golf, build camaraderie with the new players on the European team now?"

However, McIlroy welcomed LIV Golf players participating as players rather than captains. Citing Jon Rahm (Spain), who is currently ranked number one in the world, McIlroy said, "He is following the rules to qualify for the Ryder Cup. If he joins, it will be a great help to the team." Rahm recently appealed to the DP World Tour to secure the opportunity to meet the Ryder Cup selection condition of ‘participating in at least four tournaments.’ The Ryder Cup is held every two years. The next tournament will be held in Farmingdale, New York, USA, in 2025.