lan Poulter sums up what he misses most on PGA Tour, DP World Tour in six words
LIV Golf star and European Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter admits he doesn’t miss a great deal of things on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour other than a few friends, following an interview on Global News Today with Rosanna Lockwood.
Poulter, 48, was one of the first high-profile names to join the breakaway Saudi golf league when it was formed in the summer of 2022.
Last year, Poulter chose to cancel his membership from the former European Tour circuit, along with other European Ryder Cup players like Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, and Henrik Stenson, after losing a UK arbitration hearing regarding fines imposed by the DP World Tour.
Just finishing his third complete season with LIV Golf, the co-captain of Majesticks GC talked about various subjects with well-known news anchor Lockwood in an interview that can be viewed at the end of this page.
Poulter expressed his desire to one day captain the European Ryder Cup team, despite no longer being a member of the DP World Tour which makes him ineligible to do so.
Under the current regulations, players are required to take part in a minimum of four regular season tournaments to retain their membership on the DP World Tour. This ensures their eligibility to represent or lead a European Ryder Cup team.
Poulter, who has had memorable experiences as a professional golfer in the Ryder Cup, is facing challenges at the moment but remains optimistic that a solution will be reached soon to achieve one of his career aspirations.
Poulter told Lockwood that the regulations in place are stringent and allow no room for negotiation.
He mentioned the challenges that LIV Golf players encounter in order to qualify for major tournaments and accrue significant Ryder Cup points.
Everyone knows that players must participate in a certain number of European Tour events in order to qualify to compete. Personally, I am facing a challenge as I am currently not a member and therefore ineligible to be part of a Ryder Cup team or assist as a vice captain or captain without rejoining as a member. The situation is not ideal, but it is the one that the [DP World] Tour is adhering to.
Poulter stated that the Ryder Cup has played a significant role in his golfing career, and he has experienced some of his most proud moments in the tournament.
He hopes that in the future, there will be unity that would allow players like him the chance to become captain. “Let’s wait and see what unfolds, there will need to be some give-and-take.
I have a positive outlook that one day we will witness it.” Poulter recently made remarks regarding Ryder Cup qualification, which coincided with Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig revealing that the DP World Tour recently declined LIV Golf’s offer to cover the fines of European Ryder Cup players Rahm and Hatton.
Rahm and Hatton have both appealed their fines with the DP World Tour as a result of their ties to LIV Golf this season, and thus both players are able to return to compete in DP World Tour events from now until the end of the season.
Hatton and Rahm reached decisions to appeal their fines in order to be let back onto the DP World Tour and maintain their memberships by competing in at least four regular season events.
It is understood a decision will not be reached over their appeals until early 2025.
But given a UK arbitration hearing voted in favour of the DP World Tour last time around, many consider there will be little change to the outcome.
It should also be noted the DP World Tour joined a ‘Strategic Alliance’ with the PGA Tour in 2021.
The PGA Tour still has permanent suspensions in place for its members who have played in LIV Golf events.
Should Rahm and Hatton decide not to pay off their fines, then as it currently stands ahead of next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, there is a strong possibility that both players could be ineligible to compete in Luke Donald’s side.
That would be a damaging blow to Europe’s chances of retaining the biennial contest away from home, and everyone knows it.
Poulter was then asked by Lockwood whether he misses anything in particular about life on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.
“Just a few friends, that’s it,” he bluntly replied.
“Poulter, who is also a co-captain with Westwood and Stenson at Majesticks GC, provided more details.”
“This LIV product has been really helpful for me because I get to work with teammates every week and help build this franchise,” he said.
What I missed from playing in the European Tour, such as the Ryder Cup, I can experience during the 14 weeks I play on LIV. So, anything I miss there I can make up for while playing on this side.” Poulter expressed his happiness about LIV Golf reducing the age difference among viewers compared to other Tours.
We have made great progress with the LIV product in a short amount of time by expanding globally, entering new markets, increasing our fan base, and attracting younger followers. This is very exciting.
We are attracting many new fans and introducing younger people to the game of golf as we travel to different places.
“I believe this is the most thrilling part of our project, we have reduced the age from 64 to 40.”
“I’m happy about this, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the franchise.”
Poulter is participating in the last LIV Golf League tournament of the season at the Team Championship in Dallas this week.
Majesticks GC are positioned 11th out of 13 teams as they approach the final game of the season.”
