Ian Poulter leaves LIV Golf to focus on family and senior golf

Ian Poulter has announced his departure from LIV Golf, deciding against taking part in the circuit's proposed next phase as he shifts his attention towards family and senior golf. BBC Sport reported that the 50-year-old Englishman confirmed the decision in a statement shared through his social media accounts.

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Poulter said the choice followed extensive discussions with his family and team. He wants to spend more time at home and cut back on overseas travel, while helping his sons, Luke and Joshua, work towards professional golfing careers. Developing his YouTube channel is also among his plans, alongside the opportunity to pursue interests outside his existing playing commitments.

The former world number five joined LIV when the Saudi Arabia-backed competition launched in 2022 and became a prominent supporter of the project. He served as a co-captain of the Majesticks team with fellow Englishman Lee Westwood. BBC Sport said Westwood's plans remained unclear, so Poulter's announcement does not establish what his former team-mate will do next.

His exit comes as LIV attempts to reorganise following major financial upheaval. According to the BBC report, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund ended its backing in April after investing more than $5 billion, and the league sought bankruptcy protection in the United States in September. Possible financing of $300 million from BC Partners Credit is intended to support a proposed 2027 competition, but only a small number of players have committed so far.

Poulter follows several other established players out of the league. Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion and captain of Southern Guards GC, announced his departure in the same week. Jon Rahm reached a separation agreement the previous week, while Sergio Garcia, Thomas Pieters, Abraham Ancer, David Puig and Adrian Meronk have also confirmed exits, BBC Sport reported.

Despite choosing not to continue, Poulter expressed pride in having been involved from the outset. He acknowledged the divisions surrounding LIV and said professional golf would face further changes, while remaining optimistic about the sport's development. His statement set out a change in his own priorities without abandoning his support for the role that change can play in golf.