In the day when the European race for the 2023 Ryder Cup opens at the Marco Simone, three very champions of the Ryder Cup say goodbye. Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia (all moved on to the LIV Golf Tour) have all resigned from the DP World Tour.
So no more racing at this circuit and most importantly, goodbye to any Ryder Cup hopes in Italy or future venues.
Poulter, Garcia and Westwood, decision
This is not a small loss. Ian The Postman Poulter was the driving force behind Team Europe.
Sergio Garcia holds the record for points brought to the European cause (28.5 in ten editions played). Lee Westwood has the record of editions played, i.e. 11 (he won “only” seven plus one as vice-captain in Paris). All three were in the USA two years ago, none will be on the field in Guidonia Montecelio.
All three have had high hopes of one day becoming Team Europe captains… The break came after their adhesion to the circuit financed by Arab petrodollars and set up by Greg Norman. Right from the start, DP World Tour joined the PGA Tour in zero tolerance: those who play on LIV Golf no longer play with us, was the common line.
Almost two years later, Sport Resolutions, an independent English arbitration, also ruled that the former European Tour was right. Richard Bland also left with the three musketeers of continental golf. The announcement of the resignations of Poulter, Westwood and Garcia comes directly from the DP World Tour which speaks of serious violations of the regulation.
We take this opportunity to thank the four players for their contributions to the Tour and in particular to Sergio, Ian and Lee for the significant role they have played in Europe’s Ryder Cup success over many years. Their resignations, however , together with the sanctions inflicted on them, are a consequence of their own choices”.
And again: “As we have consistently maintained over the past year, the Tour has a responsibility to all its members who abide by the signed regulation. These regulations protect the collective interests of all DP World Tour members.” Other resignations could arrive on Thursday: in this case it could be Stenson, Pieters and Wiesberger.
