Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood will remain as playing captains on the LIV Golf setup in 2025, despite a testing campaign on the golf course for the Majesticks GC setup

Rory McIlroy says LIV defectors Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are too far removed from the European players to be considered as future Ryder Cup captains.

VIRGINIA WATER, England — Rory McIlroy believes it will be difficult for Ian Poulter or Lee Westwood to be a future Ryder Cup captain because they no longer have a connection with Europe’s emerging stars after defecting to LIV Golf.

While the battle lines between LIV Golf and the rest of the sport have become less pronounced, Rory McIlroy questioned whether LIV-affiliated golfers

Both Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were two of the biggest names to make the move to LIV Golf in 2022, but the Majesticks GC due failed to find their best form this campaign

Westwood and Poulter left the European Tour and McIlroy says because of that, they can't be captains at future Ryder Cups

Ryder Cup regulations set forth by the DP World Tour and in-season familiarity with players would be glaring issues

Rory McIlroy believes it will be difficult for Ian Poulter or Lee Westwood to be a future Ryder Cup captain because they no longer have a connection with Europe’s emerging stars after defecting to LIV

The world No 3 admitted he would not be happy under certain future European captains in the Ryder Cup, while also pinpointing the remaining factors in negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf