Exclusive: Divide Appearing In European Ryder Cup Team Over LIV Defectors
Some Europeans do not want to share a team room with LIV Golf players, Golf Monthly understands, with the Tour leaning towards issuing Ryder Cup bans
![Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3aHZhoakpv9DeQzJaaSwPh-415-80.jpg)
A divide is appearing in the European Ryder Cup team over the fate of the LIV Golf defectors and the DP World Tour may be leaning towards Ryder Cup bans, Golf Monthly understands.
The Ryder Cup has been rocked by the LIV Golf Invitational Series and almost certainly will look very different next year without big US names like Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed.
However, it is the European team that is more interesting as no decision has currently been made on whether the likes of Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and others will be allowed to qualify for the side or captain their continent in the future.
Golf Monthly understands that the DP World Tour, which runs the biennial match along with the PGA of America, has the feeling that no player is bigger than the Ryder Cup and that the match would still be a success without some of the sport's biggest names.
The Tour is thought to be leaning towards banning LIV Golf players, with a decision set to be made before the start of the qualification period, which is not yet known. Tour CEO Keith Pelley last week said that he would not be making comment on the Ryder Cup until the qualification process had begun.
Golf Monthly is hearing that there may be a divide appearing as some players don't want to share a team room with LIV players who have subsequently weakened the DP World Tour by heading to the Saudi-backed series.
It's also understood that European LIV Golf players may have felt they could remain DP World Tour members and still play in the Ryder Cup, although that may not be the case.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
If the DP World Tour were to ban LIV Golf players, the European side would still be very strong with McIlroy, Rahm, Hovland, Fitzpatrick, Hatton and Lowry all looking locks for Henrik Stenson's team.
Ryder Cup bans would exclude the likes of Poulter, Westwood, Garcia, Wiesberger, McDowell, Kaymer and Horsfield.
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
Charlie Woods Misses Cut In US Junior Amateur Debut
The son of 15-time Major winner Tiger failed to make it through to the knockout stages of the prestigious Oakland Hills event
By Mike Hall Published
-
The Open Final Round Viewing Figures Hit Nine-Year Low
Xander Schauffele’s second Major win of the year failed to inspire the TV-watching public in the US
By Mike Hall Published
-
Watch: Brooks Koepka Plays Hilarious Prank on Jon Rahm And Sergio Garcia Before European Championship Final Between Spain And England
The five-time major champion arrived to the tee sporting an England shirt, just hours before Spain face the Three Lions in the final of Euro 2024.
By Conor Keenan Published
-
'I'd Love Nothing More Than For Luke To Wear The Majesticks Shirt' - Ian Poulter Hopes Talented Son Will Succeed Him In LIV Golf
Ian Poulter is hopeful his eldest son Luke - who currently plays golf at the University of Florida - will succeed him at Majesticks GC in the future
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golfer Lee Westwood Set For Over-50s Debut At US Senior Open
The LIV golfer - who turned 51 in April - is set to tee it up at the US Senior Open this week in what will be his first Major appearance in the over-50s category
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Bryson Is One Of The Best Things To Ever Happen To Golf' - Brandel Chamblee Singles Out DeChambeau For Overwhelming Praise After US Open Win
The Golf Channel analyst has been one of LIV Golf's fiercest critics and was recently accused of not giving DeChambeau enough credit following his second US Open victory
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'He'll Win Multiple More' - US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau Backs Rory McIlroy To Come Out Firing After Crushing Pinehurst Disappointment
DeChambeau and McIlroy were involved in a thrilling battle down the back nine on Sunday before the American emerged victorious by a shot
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Bryson DeChambeau Responds To 'Salty Balls' Question In Funny (And Insightful) US Open Press Conference Exchange
The Scientist is leaving no stone unturned as he searches for a second Major championship trophy...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'The World Ranking Is Not A Reflection Of Where I Should Be' - Patrick Reed Critical Of OWGR Ahead Of Major Streak Ending
The LIV golfer has not missed a Major since 2013, but that run will come to a conclusion at the US Open next week - a fact the American believes could have been avoided
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
13-Time Pro Winner To Make LIV Golf Debut In Bryson DeChambeau's Team
Crushers GC are leading the team standings in the LIV Golf League this season, but they have been forced into a change as the second half of the season begins this weekend...
By Jonny Leighfield Published