The Ryder Cup captaincy was within reach, but Lee Westwood seemingly ignored all warning signs and went through with the LIV Golf deal – a move that is now costing him dearly, as recent developments brutally show. Even before his move to LIV in 2022, it was made clear to him privately: the dream of the European captaincy could shatter. And that's exactly what happened.
Paul McGinley, himself once captain of the European Ryder Cup team, now strikes the same chord and predicts that Westwood and Ian Poulter will deeply regret their decision. McGinley emphasizes that advisors should have instilled in the players the need to leave the DP World Tour 'the right way,' without burning bridges. After all, Westwood had a more than solid record with 24 appearances and was a hot candidate for the captaincy.
The Bitter Reckoning
The fronts were hardened, and now it's clear who holds the upper hand. While Martin Kaymer and Westwood (as of 3.11.2026) have not yet announced new plans, Sergio Garcia, Poulter, and Graeme McDowell are already frantically looking for a way back to the DP World Tour following alleged reports of LIV Golf's financial struggles. A truly muddled situation that shows how quickly fortunes can turn.
Trust Is Not a One-Way Street
McGinley, whose half of the 2014 Gleneagles team defected to LIV, describes the behavior as 'heartbreaking' and 'short-sighted.' It wasn't just about a formal commitment, but about trust and respect for European golf institutions. For those who leave this path and burn their bridges, the door to golf's biggest team event will simply not be reopened.
