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Ian Poulter opens up on “tough times” that followed LIV Golf announcement

Published

1 year ago

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Ian Poulter, frequent European Ryder hero, has admitted that he feels the opposition to LIV is hard to understand but “fair,” although he doesn’t understand why “they take it so far.”

The 47-year-old winner of three PGA Tour events and 12 European titles was the star of episode three of the Netflix documentary titled ‘Money or Legacy’

During the episode Poulter discusses his no-loss record at the Ryder Cup singles, family life, getting older, and, of course, the decision surrounding an offer to join the Saudi-led money-rich tour.

After opening 2022 with a tied-sixth in Abu Dhabi, Poulter had a best of 30th over his next 10 outings, including missing the cut in Texas and at the PGA Championship.

Having missed the weekend at Southern Hills, and therefore again missing out on prize-money, Poults says: “Working for free doesn’t float my boat.”

Asked if he would join LIV, he replies, “It’s a business decision. It’s an opportunity, so we’ll see.”

He expanded on that once returning to his UK home, saying, “The fact of there being guaranteed money at play is obviously an attraction. People ask all the time, don’t you have enough already? But that’s all relative. I treat my golf as a job, and I want to obviously maximize every bit of my potential over the coming years.”

Last week, though, Poulter said he simply couldn’t understand the vitriol that has been directed at the players.

The Florida-based player told The Telegraph’s James Corrigan that he took to comfort eating to overcome the abuse and negative comments surrounding his decision to join LIV.

“Those sarnies, covered in HP sauce, on a daily basis, were great, delicious, as was all the chocolate and everything, but I was feeling awful, slovenly, and it was plainly not a pleasant situation.

“I would never admit that I was stress-eating, but who knows the way the mind works? I was getting ridiculous abuse and, in that sense, they were tough times.”

He continued by saying he felt appearing on the series had proved very positive, and that viewers had changed their opinion of him.

“After the first seven or eight months of having the same opinion shouted at me, I was worried how it would be received, but I have been taken aback by the response.

“I mean, scrolling through the messages, since it was released 10 days ago, it’s been one positive thing after another. The opposite of what I’ve become used to.”

Not only was the money a tempter, but that oft-quoted view on the choice to play less clearly weighed heavily on the decision.

“People ask all the time ‘don’t you have enough already?’ but that’s all relative. I treat my golf as a job and I obviously want to maximise every bit of my potential over the coming years. “

Poulter revealed in the episode that, “Over the 20-plus years, I’ve been away for over 50% of their [four children’s] growth, missing birthdays, walking, talking, first steps. It’s hard sometimes when you sit back and you’ve missed all of that, but yet you’ve hopefully secured them a nice path moving forward.”

Poults, who finished an ironic runner-up behind Henrik Stenson – European Ryder Cup captain until his own jump to LIV – at the 2009 Players at Sawgrass, is also more positive about his chances of making this year’s Ryder Cup team, but only if he does it via his own results.

“Look, I just want to be accepted as a normal member of a members’ organisation and as an independent contractor who wants to play golf globally–simple as that. We’ll find out if that’s possible soon enough, although I’ll have to play my way into the team anyway because there’s no chance I’ll get one of the six wildcards, whatever I do.”

The appearance on Netflix has clearly done him the world of good, and Poults appears ready to give it all he has over the next few months.

Now back to what he calls his “fighting weight”, the owner of IJP Design says he is “doing it more seriously than ever, with my training and my diet.”

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Report: Tiger Woods voted against Rory McIlroy returning to policy board; Will be the only player negotiating directly with Saudis

Published

4 hours ago

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May 9, 2024

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According to a report from The Telegraph, the relationship between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy has soured.

Last week, reports surfaced that McIlroy, who was a member of the PGA Tour policy board during most of the past few years, was looking to rejoin the board, presumably taking Webb Simpson’s seat.

However, on Wednesday, McIlroy revealed that he will not be rejoining the policy board, due to people on the board being “uncomfortable” with that “for some reason.”

The Telegraph has reported that Tiger Woods was among the players who voted against McIlroy returning to the policy board.

The divide is apparently due to McIlroy pushing for the game of golf to unify, whereas Woods, reportedly, believes the PGA Tour is in a fine position where it currently stands.

The Associated Press added another wrinkle to the situation, reporting that Woods is the only player who will be negotiating directly with the Saudis.

The other members of the committee are PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, board chairman Joe Gorder, John W. Henry of Fenway Sports Group, and Joe Ogilvie, who was a former PGA Tour player.

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Phil Mickelson reveals he won’t be pursuing broadcasting career when he retires from golf

Published

1 day ago

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May 8, 2024

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On Tuesday, Chris McKee, a Toronto writer and radio host, wondered aloud on his X account if Phil Mickelson will be a commentator after his playing days are over.

“The second Phil Mickelson retires he’ll instantly become the most sought after TV analyst in golf. Would any PGA Tour broadcaster (CBS, ESPN, NBC or Sky) bring him in or would he have to stick to LIV broadcasts? #LIVGolf”

Mickelson saw the post and responded, saying he’s not interested in moving from the course to the broadcast booth.

“Thank you for the kind words. However, just cuz someone CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do it. Instead of commentating, I’m going to shoot some Pros vs Schmos 9 hole matches. I’ll share insights throughout as well as talk a little smack. It won’t be the highest quality video but it’ll be fun for me to do and fun to watch I think too.”

While I believe many fans would like to see Phil in the booth, his idea of “Pro’s vs Schmo’s” could certainly be intriguing.

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PGA Tour pro sounds off on ‘unfair’ PGA Championship invites

Published

1 day ago

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May 8, 2024

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This week, the PGA of America made some surprising announcements regarding the field of next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The event now will feature 16 LIV players with Talor Gooch, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Adrian Meronk and Patrick Reed receiving special exemptions.

PGA Tour player, Dylan Wu, took issue with how the exemptions were used and went to X to share his thoughts.

“Why is there never “real” qualifications for the PGA Championship? You have a points list and World ranking invite. Usually just outside top 100 in OWGR gets in. Chan Kim ranked 104th in OWGR doesn’t get in. SH Kim at 107th isn’t in.”

“Jesper Svennson ranked 108th gets in. Tim Widing 120th gets in. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gets a spot. A bunch of guys get leapfrogged even though they’re ranked higher than others. Seems like they just invite whoever they want. Unfair to the guys on the edge like Chan and SH”

“Just seems like the world of professional golf is in a weird spot and I love that the tournament invited a handful of great LIV players but figure out a correct system for a major championship where guys know they’ll be in or not. ????”

Fans who replied to Wu seemed to agree that a more definitive ranking system for the PGA Championship should be established.

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