Billy Foster, the longtime caddy for various European Ryder Cup players, has shared his thoughts on who should captain Team Europe in future Ryder Cup competitions. Foster believes that Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Sergio Garcia should be the next three Ryder Cup captains, citing their immense contributions to the team and their experience in the competition. However, Foster acknowledges that their recent affiliation with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf has led to their suspension from the DP World Tour and potentially barred them from future Ryder Cup participation and captaincy roles.
Foster believes that these three players bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership capabilities to the team and that their absence would be a loss for Team Europe. Despite their controversial move to LIV Golf, Foster understands their decision to play less golf for more money and emphasizes that it shouldn’t tarnish their Ryder Cup legacy.
The DP World Tour initially selected Henrik Stenson, the 2016 Open Champion, to captain the Europeans in the upcoming Ryder Cup in Rome. However, Stenson also defected to LIV Golf, resulting in the loss of his captaincy. Luke Donald has taken over as captain for this year’s event.
Foster recognizes that the last Ryder Cup marked a turning point in European golf, with the emergence of a new era of players and the loss of several experienced players. He believes that these vacant shoes need to be filled to maintain the strength and depth of the European team. Foster notes that the next few Ryder Cups will be challenging due to the strength of the American team and the potential loss of key players from Europe.
Ultimately, Foster hopes that the presence and leadership of players like Westwood, Poulter, and Garcia can continue in future Ryder Cups, as he believes they bring vital experience and knowledge to the team. While their recent affiliations may have raised concerns, Foster believes that they are still valuable assets to Team Europe and should be considered for captaincy roles in the future.