2026-05-10 11:30:45
Ian Poulter believes the European circuit of the DP World Tour is at risk if LIV Golf folds.
The 50-year-old sporting legend – who quit his DP World Tour membership three years ago after he was one of the golfers who lost an appeal against sanction from playing in the breakaway league – has warned fans to be “careful what you wish for” when it comes to the future of the game following the news the Saudi Public Investment Fund has confirmed that it is withdrawing its multi-billion backing at the end of this season.
He told Telegraph Sport: “I fear for them. Even though I resigned, I played for 23 straight years on the European Tour and do actually care about where I learnt my trade. I fear that they can’t afford for us [LIV] to go away.
“Because if we go away, it does not look very good for them. The PGA Tour has underpinned their prize funds and paid out in the last couple of years. We are talking hundreds of millions. Now if that stops… well, it’s not rocket science.
“The PGA Tour now has private equity and they want as much return as possible on their investment. So with the European Tour costing all this money… again, it’s not rocket science.”
No matter what the future holds, Ian is financially comfortable.
He said: “I’m not giving you a sob story. Of course, I’m not. I don’t have to do anything. I’ve got enough money to never play golf again. I could put my clubs down tomorrow and sustain the lifestyle that I have for ever.
“My family is fine, my children are fine. Luke [his son] is the 15th-highest ranked [amateur] in the world and I could just go and watch him. And in Josh [Luke’s younger brother], I am coaching him and could have a Poulter 3.0.
“But I believe in LIV and think it can still prosper. And I want and intend to be a part of that.”
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