Ian Poulter compares LIV to Ryder Cup in glowing assessment of breakaway league
Ian Poulter has likened the LIV Golf format to that of the Ryder Cup, after the European stalwart assessed his chances of returning to the Team Europe setup later down the line.
Poulter has announced himself as a master of the Ryder Cup throughout his career, playing a key role in Europe's success over their American rivals the past two decades. Less than a year on from his last performance in European blue and gold, the Englishman then opted to make the move to LIV Golf.
The decision to join the breakaway circuit was criticised by many, but just over one year on from his Saudi switch, Poulter appears to be enjoying life with LIV Golf. Alongside fellow European stars Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson, the 47-year-old is in charge of one of LIV's 12 four-man teams, the Majesticks.
And having competed in a team environment since joining the Saudi-backed series, it appears to have taken Poulter back to his Ryder Cup days.
Speaking at this week's Asian Tour International Series event at Close House, the former DP World Tour star said: "There’s a team vibe [in LIV Golf], which all of us guys that have been fortunate enough to play on LIV absolutely thrive on.
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“It’s become a real sort of community type feeling amongst all the players and all the team members, the team staff, so it gives like a mini Ryder Cup feel into every single team that plays." Despite his close connection, the Englishman's relationship with the matchplay tournament appeared to have come to a sad end earlier this year.
Having made the decision to join LIV Golf last summer, he was left with little option but to resign his DP World Tour membership following the sanctions he faced for making the Saudi switch. Not only did Poulter give up the chance to compete on the DP World Tour, but he also lost his eligibility to play any part at the Ryder Cup, both as a player or captain.
Ian Poulter announced himself as a Ryder Cup great (Getty Images)Regardless of his move to LIV, it appeared that the Englishman's time as a player had come to an end following Europe's heavy defeat in Wisconsin two years ago. Poulter was, however, a shoo-in to become Team Europe captain later down the line, but this dream may never come true following the drama over the past year.
With hopes of one day making a return, he commented: "Having played seven, and been vice-captain at one of those, I have such a passion and a love for the Ryder Cup. I’m comfortable that I did a good job. I earned a lot of points for Team Europe, and we brought the trophy home five times.
“Hopefully, going forward, I can be part of a team at some stage. Maybe not playing, but if I can help to captain or vice-captain – or just be there for the young guys that need a bit of support, because they’re big, stressful weeks. They’re very demanding.”
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