"A betrayal!?" LIV Golf's Ian Poulter slams Rory McIlroy's comments!

Ian Poulter has hit back at Rory McIlroy's comments where the Northern Irishman claimed he felt a sense of betrayal by those who have joined LIV Golf.

Ben Smith

26 Oct 2022

"A betrayal!?" LIV Golf's Ian Poulter slams Rory McIlroy's comments!

Ian Poulter has hit back at Rory McIlroy's comments about feeling a sense of "betrayal" by those who have joined the LIV Golf series.

Speaking to The Guardian's Ewan Murray, the Northern Irishman gave a wide-ranging interview after returning to the World No.1 spot for the first time in more than two years where he revealed his disappointment at the likes of Poulter, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell.

McIlroy told the publication:

"It's an unfamiliar feeling to me. You build bonds with these people through Ryder Cups and other things. Them knowing that what they are about to do is going to jeopardise them from being a part of that ever again? There was a great opportunity for G-Mac to maybe be the captain at Adare in 2027. Most of Sergio's legacy is Ryder Cup-based, same with Poulter, Westwood.

Speaking at the LIV Golf Miami press conference, Poulter expressed surprise at McIlroy's comments.

So much so Poulter - who was involved in a tense exchange with Kevin Na - said he "did not know" where McIlroy's comment came from.

Here's what Poulter said:

Q. Question for Ian: There was an interview with Rory McIlroy that's been published this week in which he described you guys going to LIV in Ryder Cup terms as a "betrayal." I need to ask you what your reaction to that was.

IAN POULTER: A betrayal? We can still qualify for the team as far as I'm aware. Unless we've been told we can't qualify, then I'm still ready to play as much as I possibly can and try and make that team.

Q. I think the point he was making was that the very fact that you may have jeopardized a Ryder Cup future, and likewise for Ian and Henrik and Graeme. I don't know if they'd be prepared to comment.

IAN POULTER: I mean, look, my commitment to the Ryder Cup I think goes before me. I don't think that should ever come in question. I've always wanted to play Ryder Cups and have played with as much passion as anyone else that I've ever seen play a Ryder Cup.

You know, I don't know where that comment really has come from, to be honest.

What do you make of Poulter's comments? Should LIV Golf players be allowed to participate in the Ryder Cup?

Elsewhere, Phil Mickelson was given a round of applause at the same press conference after describing just how far LIV Golf have come in six months since their inaugural event in June at Centurion Club.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel