LIV Golf pro slams conspiracy theory about behaviour of top stars: "You'll eat humble pie"

Ian Poulter has urged Trey Wingo to apologise after the American sports writer and podcast host floated a conspiracy theory about the behaviour of four LIV Golf stars.

In the latest edition of his podcast, Wingo scrutinised the actions of Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia in recent weeks after reports emerged that LIV's financiers are allegedly set to pull the plug at the end of the campaign. 

DeChambeau revealed after his victory at LIV's stop in South Africa that he had been dealing with an intense, unspecified personal issue. 

"A lot has happened in my life in the past week," a tearful DeChambeau said before refusing to say what had been bothering him. 

Mickelson missed the first four events of LIV's campaign - and the 2026 Masters - to focus on a "family health matter". 

Rahm also alluded to some off-course issues when he addressed his below-par performance at the first men's major of the year.

And Garcia also hit the headlines for his petulant outburst of anger during the final round at Augusta National, with the former green jacket winner smashing his driver into the turf after hitting an errant drive. 

Wingo suggested that perhaps each player had been informed of LIV's apparent demise. 

"In the light of the things that we know, and the story that we were able to break, that LIV is essentially dead, it's easy to see," Wingo said, before erroneously adding that Mickelson is yet to play in a LIV event this year.

"He says it's from, you know, he's dealing with a personal health issue with someone in his family, and I'm sure that might be true. 

"But he hasn't played in a single event. The fact that he hasn't played in a single event probably should have told us something, right?"

He added: "No one was more invested in LIV than Phil Mickelson. Hasn't played in an event all year. Seems a little more understandable now, right?

"And remember when Bryson won that event, and he was very emotional afterwards, a couple weeks ago, and he's like, I can't tell you why, but this is just very emotional. 

"Kind of makes sense now, right, doesn't it? Because he might have been thinking, this might be my last LIV event ever, because he probably heard rumblings of the things that we've talked about that go way beyond Scott O'Neil and the LIV executives.

"Then Jon Rahm was asked about his poor play at the Masters, he said, yeah, I think I know why I played poorly, but I really don't want to talk about it. Kind of all makes sense, right? 

"Sergio Garcia acting like a 14-year-old kid in the final round, destroying a driver, destroying a cooler, carrying his bag, getting a stern warning from Augusta National and having to issue an apology. Kind of makes sense now, right?

"All these LIV Guys, something was off, something wasn't right. Something just wasn't connecting.

"Well, now with the information that we have and we know, these events look completely different, right?"

Watch below:

Poulter was among those to criticise Wingo on X, urging the podcast host to say sorry for floating the theory. 

"I do hope Trey apologises officially when he knows the real reason why the guys have missed events," Poulter wrote. 

"He will be extremely embarrassed and should be. Stuff like this is so disappointing. 

"Spouting s---- without knowing personal reasons. So so sad. You’ll eat humble pie."

LIV Golf's financiers, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, are yet to comment on rumours they are switching off the money tap at the end of the season.

LIV Golf chief executive, Scott O'Neil, has insisted that their campaign will continue at "full throttle".

But he appeared to indicate the reports are true by telling TNT Sports the league is "funded through 2026" and he will "work like crazy" to keep the league alive.