Ryder Cup hero and Europe captain Paul McGinley says it 'broke his heart' when Ian Poulter joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series causing a divide between the sport's stars.
Irish golfer McGilney played alongside Poulter in Europe's success in 2004, 2010, 2012 and 2014. McGinley was vice-captain in two of them victories before winning as captain in 2014.
The Irishman famously putted from ten feet on the 18th hole to win the Ryder Cup in 2002. The Dubliner, 55, still sees his former team-mates during his work as a commentator for Sky Sports and the Golf Channel, but isn't too excited about the upcoming tournament at Wentworth.
McGinley says it's a 'sad moment' to see his former Europe team-mates joining the controversial LIV Golf series, but he will still shake their hands at the DP World Tour event at Wentworth later this week.
“It breaks my heart because I have an emotional connection with every one of those players," McGinley said during a Sunday Times interview.
"I will see Poulter and I’ll shake his hand at Wentworth, the same with (Lee) Westwood and all of those guys that I shared team rooms with. That bond will never be broken."
McGinley is a board member on the DP World Tour and ahead of this week's event at Wentworth he claimed 'not one (DP World Tour player) wants the LIV guys in our tournaments’.
The Ryder Cup is run in a collaboration by the European Tour and PGA of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. McGinley says it's unlikely LIV Golf rebels will play when the Ryder Cup is held in Italy for the first time in September next year.
"We’re on different sides now," added McGinley. "It’s really sad that it has come to this. Every one of those players knew the consequences when they signed with LIV.
"They also knew there was the potential for the Ryder Cup to be collateral damage in all of this. They still think they can play in the Ryder Cup.
"Who knows what’s going to happen in six months’ time? I think, at this stage, it’s highly unlikely that any of them will be involved in the Ryder Cup again."
