LIV Golf exodus continues as major champion becomes latest big name to ditch struggling breakaway tour
Ian Poulter has joined the LIV Golf exodus in a move that will heighten the uncertainty around the struggling league’s future.
The European Ryder Cup star, who has been with the circuit since its controversial formation in 2022, has followed Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen in steering away from plans for a rebranded LIV 2.0.
With LIV currently locked in chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and needing to retain a certain amount of their talent roster to secure promises of future funding, the big-name departures are each landing like a hammer blow. While Bryson DeChambeau has been tight-lipped on his future, there is an acceptance within golf that if he too chooses to jump ship, LIV will be finished.
Poulter doesn’t carry nearly as much clout but he was one of their bigger names and won’t be the last to go. It is well known that Tyrrell Hatton, Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann are also studying escape routes, which has been the natural consequence of the Saudi Arabian decision to withdraw its backing in April. The picture around Lee Westwood is less clear, with Richard Bland, Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele among the few players to commit to the league.
Poulter, 50, said: ‘I wanted everyone to hear it direct from me that I have decided to not move forward with being part of LIV 2.0. Needless to say, it was a tough decision and one I thought about and discussed at length with my family and team.
‘Ultimately, 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.
Ian Poulter says he wants to spend more time at home with his family and to travel less
‘I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family, continuing to develop The Postman YouTube channel, sharing more of my life, golf, experiences and competing in some senior events.
‘Something I am also particularly looking forward to is being able to spend more time helping [eldest son], Luke as he pursues his career in professional golf, and [youngest son] Joshua as he looks to develop as a golfer in his teenage years.’
