Ryder Cup legend refuses to rule out Team Europe return

Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter says he is hopeful he can return to Team Europe one day. 

'The Postman' has not been involved in the biennial clash against the United States since being on the receiving end of a 19-9 thrashing at Whistling Straits in 2021. 

Poulter, 50, joined LIV Golf in June 2022 and resigned from the DP World Tour after an independent panel upheld the circuit's decision to impose sanctions on breakaway tour players. 

It appeared as though his dream of leading the blue and gold as a captain or featuring as a vice-captain was over. 

But he revealed during round one of LIV's 2026 curtain-raiser in Riyadh that he is not given up hope. 

"I'd obviously still love to have some involvement in the Ryder Cup in some way, shape, or form," he told TNT Sports.

"From a perspective of wanting to have a helping hand in something I've been quite a big part of over the last two decades, yeah, it would be a dream come true if we could be in that position.

"It's worked that way for Jon [Rahm] and Tyrrell [Hatton], and they've still accepted those guys in with the Ryder Cup and, hopefully, that relationship can continue."

Poulter has enjoyed a glittering Ryder Cup career. 

He amassed seven appearances for Europe between 2004-2021 and was part of the winning team on five occasions. 

His overall record is 15-8-2 and he is undefeated in the singles. 

Poulter's defining Ryder Cup performance came at Medinah Country Club in 2012. 

With Jose Maria Olazabal's Europe looking down and out on day two, Poulter birdied four of the final five holes of his fourballs match alongside Rory McIlroy to energise his teammates. 

He defeated Webb Simpson 2&1 in his singles match to help Europe complete an improbable comeback. 

Poulter isn't the only player affiliated with LIV Golf that hopes to make a return to the Ryder Cup scene. 

Graeme McDowell has spoken of his desire to help Europe in the future. 

Before the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, McDowell said he would be happy just to make the teas and coffees if it meant he could return. 

The 2027 Ryder Cup matches will be played at Adare Manor. 

McDowell was previously touted as a shoo-in for the captaincy in Ireland. 

The former U.S. Open champion told bunkered last year that he absolutely wants to be the captain. 

"I don't know whether it should be on my mind at all, as in if i'’s something that's not possible politically," he said. 

"If that's the case, clearly '’ll be disappointed, but I'll obviously understand why. The world is where it is.

"People will say I'll get what I deserve, which, you know, I'm not really sure I totally agree with that, right?

"People will say I don't deserve it and I'm responsible for a lot of what's happened. But I'm a very, very small cog in this big wheel.

"The divisiveness has come from the best players in the world. It hasn't came from the 40-somethings like myself that are just trying to eke out a living and staying competitive on an opportunity that was presented to us, which would have been crazy to say no to from a business point of view.

"I don't know if it's something that's going to be unachievable. I'm not sure if it's something that's potentially on the radar."

Luke Donald is yet to announce whether he will continue as the European captain. 

In the scenario that the Englishman decides against a third stint, then former Open champion Francesco Molinari is expected to take the reins. 

Justin Rose and Europe's stats guro, Edoardo 'Dodo' Molinari, previously ruled themselves out of the top job. 

The PGA of America have not announced who will replace Keegan Bradley as the United States skipper yet. 

It's understood the role is Tiger Woods' if he wants it. 

But the 15-time major champion told reporters last December he hasn't been approached about the vacancy yet.