Ian Poulter is out at LIV Golf. On Friday, Poulter posted a long statement to his social media accounts saying he has “decided not to move forward to be part of LIV 2.0”.
It becomes just the latest high-profile name to split from LIV, which last year lost its Saudi-backed funding, filed for bankruptcy and is now making more noise amid 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 felt right for me at this stage in my life and career.”
Poulter, 50, was one of the original members of LIV Golf, his name included among the headliners when LIV announced its inaugural list in May 2022. While Dustin Johnson was the most well-known and high-profile name to leave the PGA Tour for LIV – Phil Mickelson’s signature was announced a week later – Poulter was among a group of European stadiums, Cup stadiums, that signed first. This 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 Ryder Cup 2023 captain in the process.
Poulter’s LIV departure joins a growing list of players who have publicly announced they do not plan to move forward with LIV 2.0, which is slated for 10 world events in 2027.
BC Partners Credit has pledged an initial committed investment of $300 million to LIV Golf, but that is dependent on the “required number of players” remaining with the league. The deadline for players to commit to LIV 2.0 is Sunday, and in recent weeks it has led to a handful of players publicly announcing their exit.
Louis Oosthuizen announced left on Wednesday, adding to a roster that already included Thomas Pieters, Charles Howell III, David Puig and Abraham Ancer. Jon Rahm, in what has been the biggest hit 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 repudiate the contracts of 19 players (Bryson DeChambeau among them), giving the players the ability to play elsewhere or negotiate new deals with LIV. Even last week, the DP World Tour said it would be they no longer allow LIV players to compete in the DP World Tourwhich prevent 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 reopening a path for Ryder Cup captaincy consideration in the future – or play on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, even if he would have to serve a suspension first.
“Change is never easy and it’s fair to say professional golf has experienced a lot in recent years,” said Poulter, who was co-captain of Majesticks Golf Club while at LIV. “But I always believe that change can create opportunities and ultimately lead to positive results. There will undoubtedly be more changes ahead, but I am convinced that the game will continue to grow, evolve and provide the best for golf fans around the world.
