Rory McIlroy has admitted it is a "shame" that three of Europe's greatest ever Ryder Cup golfers will not be able to compete at this year's event.
LIV Golf stars Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have all resigned their membership from the DP World Tour, rendering them ineligible to ever feature in the Ryder Cup again.
The trio all gave up their memberships after Sports Resolutions ruled in favour of the DP World Tour amid a legal battle with the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit, meaning the Tour could fine any LIV golfers up to £100,000 and hit them with suspensions.
Now McIlroy, who has been a fierce critic of LIV, has addressed the news while competing at the Wells Fargo Championship. "I think it's a shame that you've got the highest points scorer ever in the Ryder Cup [Garcia] and two guys [Poulter and Westwood] that when they look back on their career, that's probably going to be at least a big chunk of their legacy is the roles that they have played in the Ryder Cup for Europe," he said.
"For those three guys to not captain Europe one day, it's a shame. But as the DP World Tour said in their statement, at the end of the day that was their choice and they knew that these were potentially going to be the consequences of those choices and of those actions and here we are. Yeah, it's certainly a shame."
His comments echoed the thoughts of Europe's Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, who admitted it was a "shame" that Garcia, Poulter and Westwood would not be available for selection this year. "It's sad we've got to this point but this was always a possibility," Donald told BBC Sport.
"I played with all three and they've been stalwarts of, and given a lot to, both the Ryder Cup and European Tour. I have a little more clarity now. I know they're not an option to play in, or be any part of my team.
"It is a shame. They've got a lot of history when it comes to the Ryder Cup. Ultimately this is their choice and I wish them well. They feel like this was the best choice for them and now I've got choices to make that are best for me.
"There are generational shifts throughout the history of the Ryder Cup and maybe this is one. We certainly have plenty of great players to look at and pick from and I'm certainly excited about how everyone has played this year so far."
