Interviewed by The Times (opens in new tab), Paul McGinley spoke in-depth about a range of topics, from LIV Golf to the Ryder Cup. Having been in the game for decades, the 55-year-old has seen it all, with the Irishman a Ryder Cup winning captain, as well as now being a member of the European Tour’s Tournament Committee and Board of Directors.
Next week signals the start of the DP World Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth, a competition that has been a big talking point in the golf world as multiple LIV golfers are set to tee it up in Surrey.
Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are just two LIV golfers who will be featuring at Wentworth
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Players like Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick have stated that they feel “disappointed” with the actions, as McGinley agreed that: “It’s a sad moment,” when speaking to The Times.
“It breaks my heart because I have an emotional connection with every one of those players. I will see (Ian) Poulter and I’ll shake his hand at Wentworth, the same with (Lee) Westwood and all of those guys that I shared team rooms with. That bond will never be broken.
“But you know, definitely, we’re on different sides now. And it’s really sad that it has come to this. Every one of those players knew the consequences when they signed with LIV. They also knew there was the potential for the Ryder Cup to be collateral damage in all of this. They still think they can play in the Ryder Cup. Who knows what’s going to happen in six months’ time? I think, at this stage, it’s highly unlikely that any of them will be involved in the Ryder Cup again.
“If this is how it pans out, it won’t be because of Keith Pelley (DP World Tour chief executive) or the board say so, but because our members, the players who have remained loyal to our tour, don’t want the LIV guys anywhere near the Ryder Cup. The feeling is that you cannot play (for) both sides. Mo Salah doesn’t get to play for Liverpool one week and Real Madrid the next. LIV is a rival tour.”
McGinley captained the European Ryder Cup team to a 16.5 – 11.5 win…
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