‘It’s a business decision’: Ian Poulter (again) defends LIV move
European Ryder Cup icon Ian Poulter was pushed on why he joined LIV Golf during episode three of Full Swing – the new PGA Tour Netflix docuseries.
Poulter, along with Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka who also feature prominently in the new show, alluded to the lucrative contract offer he received from LIV Golf as the key reason for leaving the PGA Tour.
The Englishman admitted that the decision involved uncertainties, which is correct. His future on the DP World Tour, in major championships and in his beloved Ryder Cup is in jeopardy.
Poulter admitted that missing out on being the European Ryder Cup captain one day would be devastating, but if Henrik Stenson’s dismissal from the role is anything to go by, he has already kissed his chances goodbye.
When Poulter was asked “straight up” up if he was joining LIV on Full Swing, he initially hesitated and gave a smile to the camera that essentially spoke for itself.
“It’s just so hard to give a simple, quick explanation on how all of this works its way out,” he said. “In the 25 years I’ve played on Tour, I’ve played European Tour and I’ve played the PGA Tour.
“I’ve played on the Japanese Tour. I’ve played on the Korean Tour. As an independent contractor, I’m doing nothing different from what I’ve always done.
“It’s a business decision, it’s an opportunity so we’ll see.”
When Poulter and the rest of Greg Norman’s recruits played in the first LIV event at Centurion Club, the PGA Tour announced that each of them was suspended.
We are also waiting on the result of a hearing which took place in London last week to discover if the DP World Tour were right to punish players like Poulter who still played in LIV events despite not being granted releases.
As much as money was a deciding factor for the 47-year-old, he echoed a similar sentiment to Johnson and Koepka that he did what was best for his family and his future generations.
Poulter expressed hope that LIV and the PGA Tour can exist together, but the cost of the Saudi-backed series’ emergence is a legal battle that isn’t due to begin until 2024.
He has now removed his name from the antitrust lawsuit that was filed against the Tour back in August and is looking ahead to the beginning of the second season of the LIV Golf league in Mexico on February 24.
“The hope is that we can all co-exist – I definitely shouldn’t be forced to walk away from the PGA Tour. It’s a shame. It took a lot of consideration, through time, to get to this point.
“This is the right decision for myself. This is the right decision for my family. So deep down inside, I feel comfortable with my decision and that’s what you have to guide yourself by.
“I love competing. I love being a professional golfer. That’s been my dream since day one, and I just want to continue playing great golf all over the world.”
Full Swing features eight episodes with each one being character-led stories on players from the PGA Tour such as Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas.
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
