Ian Poulter "genuinely undecided" whether to stick with LIV Golf

Ian Poulter says he genuinely hasn't made up his mind whether to stay with LIV Golf. 

The European Ryder Cup legend was among the first wave of players to be recruited by the breakaway tour in 2022. 

For the past five years the Englishman has been a team captain of the Majesticks alongside Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson. 

It was assumed that Poulter was keen to remain with LIV should the league's transaction with its new investor go through without a hitch.

But Poulter has revealed in a lengthy Instagram post he's "genuinely undecided" which path to take. 

"It would be a real shame if LIV 2.0 doesn't happen," Poulter wrote.  

"There are players who would love a strong global platform to play on and countries and fans who want us back. 

"Some players will stay, some may go. As for me, I may stay or take some time off. I genuinely haven't decided yet."

As the doors close on LIV Golf 1.0, what an incredible five seasons it has been.

It hasn’t always been easy — and it was never going to be. Building something new and challenging the status quo was always going to bring challenges and criticism. I sincerely thank everyone who supported me, our team and LIV throughout the journey.

We’ve taken this great game around the world to countries and cities that genuinely embraced us. Playing in front of crowds of over 100,000 fans at some events was truly special. To everyone who came out and supported us — thank you. You were class.

At Majesticks GC we built an incredible team, but what I’m most proud of is Littlesticks. We’ve taken golf directly into the PE curriculum of over 200 schools and put clubs into the hands of more than 40,000 kids. That’s a legacy our whole team should be incredibly proud of.

This final phase has been tough and none of us knows exactly what comes next. My thoughts are especially with the businesses and suppliers still owed money. Some are small businesses and I sincerely hope those situations are dealt with properly and quickly.

It would be a real shame if LIV 2.0 doesn’t happen. There are players who would love a strong global platform to play on and countries and fans who want us back. Some players will stay, some may go. As for me, I may stay or take some time off. I genuinely haven’t decided yet.

I know some people didn’t agree with my decision to join LIV. I’ve never hidden from the financial side. Golfers have received appearance fees around the world throughout my career and still do today. LIV gave me a significant opportunity late in my career and I took it. People make career decisions every day based on opportunity, family and financial security. Professional sport is no different.

A special thank you to my teammates Lee, Henrik, Sam and Laurie, every member of the LIV and Majesticks staff and, most importantly, the fans who supported me.

Whatever happens next, I’m proud of what we achieved.

LIV 1.0 — it’s been one hell of a ride. 

Ian Poulter

Poulter's decision to join LIV Golf in the first place was condemned by some. 

He was accused of being complicit in sportswashing as the league was bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. 

Saudi Arabia withdrew their financial support for LIV in April. 

One of the most unforgettable moments of the LIV Golf era saw Poulter and Westwood facing questions about the morality of their choices. 

Poulter looked visibly uncomfortable as he was asked during LIV Golf's first ever press conference whether he would play a golf tournament in Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Poulter's decision to join LIV also likely cost him the opportunity to captain the European Ryder Cup team. 

The aforementioned Stenson was stripped of the role when he joined LIV and it was expected that Poulter would lead the blue and gold in New York in 2025, potentially with Phil Mickelson as his counterpart. 

Luke Donald took over the captaincy and is now widely considered one of, if not, Europe's greatest ever captain after masterminding victories in Italy and in the United States. 

Poulter has never disclosed how much money he was paid up front to join LIV but it's understood to be in the region of $30m. 

Poulter never won an individual tournament but he racked up more than $10m in on-course earnings.

"I know some people didn't agree with my decision to join LIV," he added. 

"I've never hidden from the financial side. 

"Golfers have received appearance fees around the world throughout my career and still do today. 

"LIV gave me a significant opportunity late in my career and I took it. People make career decisions every day based on opportunity, family and financial security. 

"Professional sport is no different."

Poulter is likely to resume his career on the DP World Tour next season should he not continue with LIV. 

He resigned his DPWT membership in July 2023 to avoid incurring more penalties but settled what he owed in July. 

Westwood did the same and it's thought the pair each paid at least $1m.

Poulter claimed he was always going to pay the fines but it was just a question when the time was right.

Elsewhere, Poulter is not the only LIV player considering his future. 

Bryson DeChambeau posted a cryptic message on his Instagram page on Monday evening and some believe it was a farewell.