Ian Poulter was once the darling of the European golf world.

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Known as ‘The Postman’ for his ability to always deliver the points at the Ryder Cup, his inspiration as a team player far outstripped the 12 European and three PGA titles he won as an individual.

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However, since joining the LIV series, some of those fervent supporters have gone by the wayside, some even jeering him at the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews, and things don’t seem to have improved yet.

Initially banned by the DP World Tour from three events, including the Scottish Open, Poulter overturned that decision in the courts, eventually missing the cut at The Renaissance Club before finishing tied-62 at St. Andrews and tied-23 at last weekend’s Czech Masters.

Whilst that was his best finish since Abu Dhabi in January, the 46-year-old couldn’t wait to take to social media to show his annoyance at apparently being treated differently to other members of the tour.

His Twitter post briefly told us what he thought:

Thanks #CzechMasters and @PetrDedekDDreal you run and promote a great tournament. Congratulations.

Sorry I couldn’t post more videos as @DPWorldTour restricted us. Hope to come back to Czech Republic soon you guys have been amazing. pic.twitter.com/lmsVS14fd2

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) August 21, 2022

However, on his Instagram story, Poulter went to town:

“I thought I was still a member of the DP World Tour but I guess they have other ideas,” he claimed, before continuing.

“Really sorry that I am unable to share any good TV clips of us from the @czechmastersofficial or any @dpworldtour tournament moving forward as @dpworldtour have denied us any footage that was freely available and they’d be happy to share on request in the past. We will do what we can to share content as we can. Sorry friends.”

“I thought I was still a member of the @dpworldtour but I guess they have other ideas. Well actually I am but I’m being treated very differently to a member. Sorry fans I hope we all have a resolve on this as soon as possible.”

This week, the DP World Tour hit back hard.

A spokesman for the ruling body told Bunkered.com that

“Based on the recent ruling by Sport Resolutions UK, Ian Poulter is permitted to play in tournaments on the DP World Tour and is at no competitive disadvantage in those appearances.

“However, his participation is not contingent upon him receiving any off-course benefits from the DP World Tour.”

Poulter seems to be playing on one reason given by Phil Mickelson for joining LIV at the start of the controversy. Back then, Mickelson said he wanted to instigate change in the way the PGA Tour handles media rights and the options offered to players.

The ‘freedom’ to play less golf, spend more time with family and the shotgun 54-hole starts were also offered as valid reasons for jumping ship.

As Mark Fox, of The Plugged Lie podcast, replied though:

The DP World Tour has restricted you? Have you read your contract? pic.twitter.com/4QsmsMjWl2

— Mark Fox (@ThePluggedLie) August 22, 2022

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