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British professional golfer Ian Poulter garnered enough criticism after he joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league last year. Poulter recently backed the league and targeted Ryder Cup Europe if they do not allow LIV players to enter the tournament.
In a recent Q&A session with fans on Instagram, Poulter shared his views on the controversial league and if he does not get a chance to captain in the Ryder Cup. He backed the league by saying:
"LIV Golf League is here to stay, it's only 30 rounds old. And every start-up business takes time."
He further heaped praise on the league, saying:
"I'm so proud to see how far it's come in such a short space of time. It's an incredible business and product, and it will be incredible."
Ian Poulter remarked that if Ryder Cup Europe does not allow LIV Golf players or snub them from taking the captaincy role, then it is a shame and their own loss.
However, the 47-year-old is quite confident and positive about the rules and regulations that need to change in the near future. Like fellow LIV golfer Phil Mickelson, he feels that both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf could co-exist going forward.
Poulter was associated with the Ryder Cup in its initial stages and helped build it bigger. He would be pretty disappointed to see the Ryder Cup treat its veterans miserably.
With big names like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Sergio Gracia, he too decided to switch to the cash-rich league for his family and a better paycheck. His words prove that he does not regret the decision to switch, with his age being a factor.
Poulter will be in the lead at the World City Championship on the Asian Tour this week in Hong Kong. It is separate from LIV's 14-event schedule, with four qualifying positions for the Open at Royal Liverpool in July up for grabs.
Ian Poulter's life and career
Born on January 10, 1976, Poulter is a British professional golfer who is currently with LIV Golf. He started playing golf when he was just four years old.
Poulter earned his pro cap in 1996. Over the years, he has won a total of 17 professional wins. His first win came at the 2000 Italian Open. He won by a margin of one stroke against Gordon Brand Jnr of Scotland.
For most of his career, Ian Poulter played on the European Tour and the PGA Tour. He has 12 wins on the European Tour and three on the PGA Tour. His first PGA Tour win was at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in 2010. The Brit's second came at the WGC-HSBC Champions. His last PGA Tour victory was at the Houston Open, where he defeated Beau Hossler of the United States.
Poulter made his first appearance in a LIV Golf Invitational Series event at the Centurion Club outside of London in June 2022. This was followed by a suspension of both the PGA Tour and European Tour privileges.
