Resignations rob Europe of three Ryder Cup stalwarts

By Rahul Banerji

Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood on Wednesday made themselves unavailable for the Ryder Cup by resigning from the DP World (European) Tour.

Joining his three fellow LIV Golf League members in leaving was Richard Bland as all four golfers were faced with fines and other punitive action.

The move robbed Europe of three Ryder Cup stalwarts – Garcia the most successful player in the competition with 28.5 points, Westwood with a record 11 appearances, seven of them in a winning cause, and Poulter an ever-present thorn in the side of US teams.

Between them, Garcia, Poulter and Westwood played in 28 Ryder Cups while Westwood was also vice-captain in Europe’s 2018 victory at Le Golf National in Paris.

The next edition of the biennial US-Europe showdown takes place at Rome’s Marco Simone Golf and Country Club from September 29 to October 1.

Reacting to the resignations, the DP World Tour thanked the four for their contributions, “and in particular Sergio, Ian and Lee for the significant part they have played in Europe’s success in the Ryder Cup over many years.

“Their resignations, however, along with the sanctions imposed upon them, are a consequence of their own choices.

“As we have consistently maintained throughout the past year, the Tour has a responsibility to its entire membership to administer the member regulations which each player signs up to.

‘Collective interest’

“These regulations are in place to protect the collective interests of all DP World Tour members.

“The independent panel appointed by Sport Resolutions recognised this, determining that our Conflicting Tournament Regulation and its application in the circumstances did not go beyond what was necessary and proportionate to the Tour’s continued operation as a professional golf tour and that we have a legitimate interest in protecting the rights of our full membership by enforcing it.

“A further update on other sanctioned members will be provided on Thursday,” the statement added. A further 14 who also signed up with LIV Golf also face action due to be announced later in the day.

Appeals filed by the four against £100,000 fines and sanctions for playing in a LIV Golf event in England last year without prior notice failed in arbitration and the penalty fell due on Wednesday. Of the four, Westwood is learnt to have paid his fine.

The 30-year DP World Tour veteran was quoted as saying on the day, “I could not see any other option with all the punishments hanging over me.

“I don’t agree with the direction (Tour chief executive) Keith Pelley and his board have taken and I want to move on,” Westwood added.

Also read: Stenson goes as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain in latest LIV strike