Ian Poulter has hit back at Rory McIlroy after the new world No.1 claimed he felt “betrayed” by his Ryder Cup team-mates joining Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
McIlroy made the claim on the eve of the final $50m LIV event of the year at Donald Trump ’s Doral course in Florida.
Poulter and other rebel DP World Tour players face a February court case to see if they can play on both tours. They are currently allowed to play in Europe - such as the BMW PGA at Wentworth - under a temporary injunction.
And Poulter, dubbed the Postman for delivering his Ryder Cup points, responded: “We can still qualify for the team as far as I’m aware. Unless we’ve been told we can’t qualify, then I’m still ready to play as much as possible and try and make the team.
“My commitment to the Ryder Cup goes before me. I don't think that should ever come into question.
"I’ve always wanted to play Ryder Cups and have played with as much passion as anyone else that I’ve ever seen play a Ryder Cup. I don’t know where the comment has come from to be honest.”
In an interview on Tuesday, McIlroy claimed: "This 'us versus them' thing has gotten way out of control already."
But the Ulsterman went on to name Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Gardia and Graeme McDowell as he said: "I think it is the first time in my life that I have felt betrayal, in a way. It's an unfamiliar feeling to me.
"You build bonds with these people through Ryder Cups and other things. Them knowing that what they are about to do is going to jeopardise them from being a part of that ever again?”
Augusta National Golf Club, the US Golf Association and PGA of America are included in the US Justice Department's antitrust investigation into professional golf started because of LIV Golf, according to the Wall Street Journal.
