With the Ryder Cup just one year away, it remains to be seen who will be teeing it up for Team Europe amid the ongoing saga surrounding LIV Golf. A number of big European names have made the controversial switch, which has seemingly put their chances of competing in Rome next September at risk.
Whilst both the DP World and PGA Tour are locked in a legal battle with the Saudi-funded series and its players, one of the initial sanctions laid on LIV defectors was being banned from competing in the historic two-team competition.
This banning order is no doubt set to leave holes in both sides come selection time, and here is a look at who could be missing for Europe when they play hosts at Marco Simone.
Henrik Stenson
One man who was guaranteed to be in Rome next year was Henrik Stenson, after he was announced as European captain earlier this year. The hosts’ plans were then thrown into disarray when Stenson chose to sign on the multi-million pound dotted line with LIV this summer.
The Swede was banished from his role as skipper and replaced by Luke Donald, as Team Europe chiefs set their strong precedent down early about their attitude to players moving to the Saudi-backed circuit.
Ian Poulter
Next up is a European stalwart in Ian Poulter. The Englishman had earned the nickname ‘The Postman’ and for good reason, after delivering time and time again for Team Europe when competing for the famous trophy.
His knack for rising to the Ryder Cup occasion has made him one of the event’s greatest players, but his time competing in blue and gold could well be over. Poulter’s announcement as a LIV player in June shocked the sport, with the Englishman seemingly putting his glittering Ryder Cup legacy on the line to compete.
And with event chiefs clearly set on keeping anything LIV Golf away from Marco Simone next September, his days as Team Europe’s ‘postman’ look to be numbered.
Sergio Garcia
Along with Poulter, one man who has also proved to be an important asset in their successes across the last two decades has been Sergio Garcia. The 42-year-old has been an ever-present in the European setup in recent times, and for good reason.
Nobody has won more Ryder Cup points or matches than the roaring Spaniard in the event’s history, but after following in the footsteps of his ally Poulter in joining the breakaway circuit it seems Garcia will not be able to add to his glittering Team Europe résumé in 2023.
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Lee Westwood
Like Poulter and Garcia, another man who has played a key role in delivering European success has been Lee Westwood, but like his long-time teammates he has also made the dive to LIV Golf. No one has worn the blue and gold of Europe more than Westwood having competed in 11 Ryder Cups, winning on seven occasions.
The chance of him making it 12 though seem more than slim after making the decision to join the Saudi-funded series. Westwood - alongside Poulter and Garcia - was also a dead cert for a captaincy role in the not too distant future, but if the treatment of Stenson is anything to go buy, that dream may also be over.
Paul Casey
One man who would have been confident of making his way to Marco Simone in 2023 is Englishman Paul Casey. Casey found himself inside the world’s top 30 prior to a move to LIV Golf, and would have brought a much-needed mix of form and experience to the European setup.
Like his fellow defectors though it seems the Englishman will also be shunned from making a sixth Ryder Cup appearance due to his LIV allegiances.
