Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are now set to be eligible to play in the Ryder Cup after the PGA Tour and LIV Golf recently announced a merger between the brands. Before the deal, LIV Golf rebels yielded uncertain eligibility to compete in the Ryder Cup and other PGA Tour events.
The PGA Tour and LIV's announcement of joining forces ended a long-term feud between both entities. Before the deal, an antitrust lawsuit between both parties featured former PGA superstars Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau. After being fined by the PGA for involvement in prior LIV events, Poulter and Westwood opted to turn in their DP World Tour memberships and therefore revoking their ability to compete for Europe at the Ryder Cup.
Poulter and Westwood are Ryder Cup veterans, with Poulter participating in seven Ryder Cups in his career and helping Europe win five. However, after joining LIV in 2022, the English golfer stated that he could decline to play for Europe in future Ryder Cups due to the then-competing brand's previous problems.
After making his Ryder Cup debut in 1997, Westwood initially represented Europe in the competition for 10 years. Initially after the companies merged, golf fans wondered what the unification meant for future contests.
Bernard Gallacher, an ex-Ryder Cup captain and Golf Care ambassador, shared his thoughts on the deal and what the entities can achieve. Gallagher previously called for a compromise within the height of both league's legal tug-of-war, stating that LIV undermined and devalued the historic competitions of major PGA tournaments.
“Jay Monahan [commissioner of the PGA Tour] should have spoken to LIV a long time ago and thrashed out a deal – it’s a shame as the DP World Tour could have made a separate agreement with LIV and kept its independence that way.," said Monohan. "The good news is that it looks like players like Westwood and Poulter can now qualify for the Ryder Cup, and Jon Rahm will get his wish to line up with his compatriot Sergio against the US in Italy in September.”
Monohan was also known previously as one of LIV's greatest critics. However, the commissioner is seemingly enthusiastic about working with his once-bitter rivals, confirming that that merger marks a historic day.
"After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love." Monahan verified that the new union would embrace the team aspect that has become interchangeable with LIV.
As a result of the merger, all legal cases between LIV and the PGA will be dropped, effective immediately. Bleacher Report has stated that the deal would combine the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's commercial businesses and rights and develop a new brand name yet to be determined.
