Ian Poulter is in serious danger of losing his place on LIV Golf after the rebel tour changed a key rule. The European Ryder Cup hero and ex-PGA Tour star was one of the highest-profile defectors when the controversial Saudi-backed tour was launched in 2022.
He was paid an estimated £20million to jump ship and has made around £7.7m in prize money since. But the move meant that he would have to pay significant fines to play in DP World Tour events and remain eligible to qualify for the Ryder Cup. While LIV has agreed to pay players’ fines – an arrangement that will end from 2026 – Poulter has previously refused on principle. The 49-year-old told Sports Illustrated last year: “I personally wouldn’t pay because I felt it was unjust at the time to be fined $100,000 a week because it makes no sense to me at all. My stance has never changed.
“I’ve played golf all over the world. I was never paying fines when I played outside of Europe on other tours around the world, so my stance is exactly the same as I had three years ago.”
However, he may have to consider his position as he faces relegation from LIV, which has ditched the rule which gave team captains a reprieve. Now, any player, regardless of their status, who finishes the season outside of the top 48 will lose their card for 2026. Poulter, who co-captains the Majesticks GC team, is currently 51st with just two events remaining.
Previously, captains could lobby to keep their place, as Bubba Watson did successfully last year after finishing 53rd. But in an attempt to add more credibility to the tour as it looks to join the Official World Golf Rankings, the change has been made afterScott O’Neil replaced Greg Norman as LIV chief executive.
Poulter’s co-captains and fellow Ryder Cup legends Lee Westwood (46th) and Henrik Stenson (47th), are also flirting with relegation following a dreadful season for the Majesticks outfit, which also includes Sam Horsfield, who is safe in 37th. The veteran trio could be involved in a straight fight to avoid relegation at the upcoming events in Chicago and Indianapolis.
Unlike Poulter, Westwood appears more open to returning to the DP World Tour in the event of relegation. He told the Telegraph last month: “I can go back to the DP World Tour, you know. LIV would pay my fines, which are ridiculously about £900,000, and I still have several exemptions to play on that circuit.
“LIV would already have paid my fines if I’d asked, but I didn’t do it out of principle. It’s a daft amount anyway.”
