Rory McIlroy has expressed his belief that Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood may find it challenging to become Ryder Cup captains in the future due to their lack of connection with Europe’s emerging golf stars after joining the LIV Golf league. Poulter, known for his impressive Ryder Cup performances, has mentioned his interest in captaining the European team despite currently being unable to do so because of his departure from the European tour following his move to LIV.
McIlroy highlighted the importance of Ryder Cup captains like Luke Donald, who have made efforts to bond with young players and be present at various events to build rapport with the team. He emphasized the difficulty for emerging players to connect with Poulter and Westwood, who are no longer actively involved in European tour events.
Despite acknowledging Poulter’s credentials and passion for the Ryder Cup, McIlroy stressed the significance of having a captain who is actively engaged and visible within the European golfing community, which he believes is currently lacking in the case of players who have joined LIV Golf.
Regarding Jon Rahm, another player who transitioned to LIV Golf, McIlroy commended Rahm for abiding by the rules and continuing to compete on the European tour despite sanctions. McIlroy recognized Rahm as a potential valuable asset to the European Ryder Cup team based on his impressive performances in LIV Golf, where Rahm secured an individual title in his debut season.
Rahm’s compliance with regulations allows him to maintain eligibility for the Ryder Cup by fulfilling the required number of European tour appearances. McIlroy expressed support for Rahm’s contributions to the European team if considered for the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.