Ian Poulter is out at LIV Golf. On Friday, Poulter posted a lengthy statement to his social media accounts saying he has “decided to not move forward with being part of LIV 2.0.”
He becomes just the latest high-profile name to separate himself from LIV, which in the past year has lost its Saudi-backed funding, filed for bankruptcy and is now making more noise due to questions surrounding its uncertain future.
“Ultimately,” Poulter wrote, “the opportunity to spend more time at home with my family, reduce international travel, focus on senior golf and have the opportunity to pursue other interests was something that I felt was right for me at this stage of my life and career.”
Poulter, 50, was one of LIV Golf’s original members, his name included among the headliners when LIV announced its inaugural roster back in May 2022. While Dustin Johnson was the most notable, high-profile name to first leave the PGA Tour for LIV — Phil Mickelson’s signing was announced a week later — Poulter was among a group of European stalwarts, and Ryder Cup mainstays, who signed on early. That group also consisted of Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. Henrik Stenson joined a couple of months later and promptly lost his role as 2023 Ryder Cup captain in the process.
Poulter’s LIV departure adds to a growing list of players who have publicly announced they do not plan to go forward with LIV 2.0, which is projected for 10 worldwide events in 2027.
BC Partners Credit has pledged an initial committed investment of $300 million to LIV Golf, but that’s contingent upon the “requisite number of players” who stay on with the league. A deadline for players to commit to LIV 2.0 is Sunday, and in the past couple of weeks it’s led to a handful of players publicly announcing their exits.
Louis Oosthuizen announced he was leaving on Wednesday, adding to a list that already included Thomas Pieters, Charles Howell III, David Puig and Abraham Ancer. Jon Rahm, in what’s been the biggest blow to LIV 2.0 so far, left earlier this month.
In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy hearing last week, the court approved LIV Golf’s request to reject 19 player contracts (Bryson DeChambeau among them), giving the players the ability to play elsewhere or negotiate new deals with LIV. Also last week, the DP World Tour said it would no longer permit LIV players to compete on the DP World Tour, which would keep them from being eligible for the Ryder Cup.
As for Poulter, a 12-time DP World Tour winner, he could rejoin the DP World Tour — perhaps re-opening a pathway for Ryder Cup captaincy consideration in the future — or play on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, although he would have to serve a suspension first.
“Change is never easy and it’s fair to say professional golf has experienced plenty of it over the last few years,” said Poulter, who was a co-captain of the Majesticks Golf Club while at LIV. “But I’ve always believed that change can create opportunity and ultimately lead to positive outcomes. There will undoubtedly be more changes ahead, but I am confident the game will continue to grow, evolve and deliver the very best for golf fans around the world.”
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