"I don't understand the difference" - LIV Golf's Ian Poulter makes Ryder Cup claim

European Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter says he has tried to open talks with the DP World Tour over becoming the captain in the future but has been ignored. 

Poulter made seven appearances for the blue and gold between 2008-2021 and amassed a glittering 15-8-1 record from the 25 matches he played in the biennial dust-up against the United States. 

The Englishman, who is undefeated in the singles, delivered his best performance for Team Europe during the 2012 Miracle at Medinah, going 4-0-0 across the week as Jose Maria Olazabal's dozen mounted an improbable comeback. 

It was one of several incredible Ryder Cup memories for the "Postman" and made him a shoo-in to lead Europe one day as the captain. 

But he became persona non grata with the DPWT after he decamped to LIV Golf in 2022. 

Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia have also dealt a blow to their prospects of captaining the team by joining LIV. 

Tensions have thawed significantly over the last three years and two LIV players - Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton - have represented Europe in the Ryder Cup. 

Rahm and Hatton have formed a formidable partnership in the foursomes and were both instrumental in the success stories in Rome and New York. 

Is there any hope for Poulter?

"I actually don't think they want me or us back to be honest," Poulter told his followers during an Instagram Q&A.

"I've tried but they haven't responded. Which is a shame as they do know what the Ryder Cup has meant to me through the years and how much I committed to them in the eight Ryder Cups I was part of."

Poulter added: "But I'm not not joining LIV just on the hope of being a Ryder Cup captain one day. Two LIV players have already played a Ryder Cup after joining LIV. So I don't understand the difference. 

"So time will tell but it's disappointing on many levels."

Former world number one Luke Donald led Europe to victory in Marco Simone and Bethpage Black. 

He replaced the aforementioned Stenson after he was stripped of the role. 

At the beginning of the month, he was named as the captain for a third time and will go for an historic three-peat at Adare Manor in Ireland next September. 

McDowell had previously spoken of his dream to lead Europe on home soil. 

Poulter added: "Now Luke has done an amazing job the last two times and doing his third. 

"He has a great team energy and spirit with the guys and that doesn't look like they want to change that dynamic anytime soon. It’s working so why change."

Poulter was also asked what DPWT events he would play if he were to re-join. 

"Unfortunately, it's not a perfect world," he said. 

"But I enjoyed playing BMW at Wentworth, Scottish Open, and playing in Dubai and the Middle East. Irish Open. So many great events they had on the calendar.

"And all the events that paid me appearance money through the years. Which was a lot of them, very grateful."

Elsewhere in the Q&A, Poulter confirmed he won't be taking part in Final Qualifying for this year's Open at Royal Birkdale as he is playing in the US Senior Open.

He will caddie for his son Luke, though, if he qualifies for the final men's major of the year.