Ian Poulter has admitted it ‘won’t be my choice’ if he is to play in the BMW PGA Championship ever again as the LIV Golf star is prepared to face the consequences of his decision.
The lucrative LIV Golf series is funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and it has divided golf, leaving the PGA and DP World Tours fractured after the new series poached some of the sports biggest names. Several of the world’s most prominent players have decided to switch to LIV Golf, including the likes of Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.
Players who have joined the LIV Golf series - bankrolled by a Saudi Arabian regime renowned for their human rights abuses - were handed immediate and indefinite bans from the PGA Tour. The DP World Tour have implied they will fine the rebels and suspend them from future events but they haven’t issued a ban just yet.
As a result, Poulter was free to take part in the PGA Championship at Wentworth and enjoyed a strong final round. He shot five-under 67 to finish tied 32nd while Shane Lowry took the title amid a controversial week in which Poulter and other LIV Golf stars were criticised by other players.
Following the tournament, Poulter took to social media to declare his desire to continue competing on the DP World Tour as well as future PGA Championships. On Instagram, the Englishman wrote: “Not sure if this was my last ever PGA at Wentworth but if it was at least we signed off with a 67.
“To everyone that followed me this week, you guys were absolutely class. I love playing in front of you all and signing for so many kids after every round. Time will tell, I hope it isn’t my last but it won’t be my choice.”
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A legal hearing is currently scheduled to take place next February to decide the fate of LIV Golf stars on the DP World Tour. Poulter believes he’s earned the right to continue over his career, adding: “I left in 2004 to play full time on the @pgatour and have played in the states for 19 straight years.
“Coming back to play in Europe every year to make sure I play my minimum numbers. Long before any strategic alliance was ever in place. It’s only been in place for a year. I don’t see the difference.”
Poulter took advantage of an exemption rule to tee off at Wentworth, but other professionals - including Billy Horschel and Jon Rahm - insisted the LIV stars who utilised that avenue only did so to claim Official Golf World Ranking points.
