“I’m hopeful one day there’s a sense of coming together that would enable the likes of myself… the opportunity to be able to become captain.” This is what LIV Golfer Ian Poulter tweeted during the LIV Golf Chicago. The players are all quite frustrated with the ongoing rift between the breakaway league and the PGA World Tour, and they now want all the top players to come together and play.

However, there seems to be no hope for a merger in sight, and as long as that does not happen, there are certain limitations. For example, LIV Golf players are not eligible to earn OWGR points, and thus cannot be captains of teams in the biennial event. It seems PGA Tour player Justin Rose has just the right response to this.

Justin Rose expresses the need for things to accelerate quickly

The European team will be entering Bethpage with hopes of retaining the trophy in 2025. For that, only the best players should be a part of the team. However, top players like Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, and many others have shifted to the breakaway league, barring them from participation. “I think for that to happen for Poults, I can definitely see that pathway, but I think the world of golf needs to make it happen, as well, for him,” added Justin Rose.

Although the consensus has now allowed them to play for the teams, there are still restrictions. Rose wishes for the best players not only to play for the team but also to be appointed as captains, leading the team in the game. Commenting on this at the post-round presser at Wentworth Golf Club, Rose said, “I mean, I think we need things to accelerate quickly. Obviously the lads who have gone off to LIV — there was a period of time now where obviously we’re seeing scenarios with Tyrrell and Jon having gone, as well, but they’re still very much current in terms of form of playing in the Ryder Cup”.

He further added that the golf world needs to bridge the gaps and resolve all the drama between the PGA Tour and LIV players. To do that, the only way forward would be for everyone to come together on the same path.

Who is currently leading the 2025 Ryder Cup European team?

On November 28, 2023, Luke Donald was named the captain of the 12-time Ryder Cup-winning team. He will lead the top 12 players at Bethpage for the 2025 edition. This is the second time in a row that the 45-year-old professional golfer will take on the role. He led them in the last edition, where the team won with a 16.5 to 11.5 victory against the American team in Italy.

Donald is the first captain to lead the team for two consecutive years since Bernard Gallacher, who was captain for three consecutive years (1991, 1993, and 1995). Do you think the European team, under the guidance of the Englishman, will be able to retain the trophy? Let us know in the comments section below!