Report: Ian Poulter won't receive special treatment if he's relegated from LIV Golf

Ian Poulter's playing career could be brought to an underwhelming end later this month. 

The Englishman was among the first wave of ageing European Ryder Cup stars to be recruited by the PIF-backed breakaway in June 2022. 

Poulter signed a three-year contract with LIV thought to be in the region of $20-30m and has been exempt from relegation as a playing captain of the Majesticks. 

But Telegraph Sport are reporting LIV are scrapping that rule this season and there will be no stay of execution for playing captains should they finish in the bottom six. 

The rule has been widely debated. Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson was relegated last season but made a 'business case' to be retained by the RangeGoats.

Branden Grace also finished in the drop zone last year and, after trying and failing to get his spot back in the league via their Q-School event, was still retained by the South African Stinger team. 

Concerns were raised about the lack of meritocracy. 

Players who finish 49th or below get the boot at the end of the season. 

Poulter, who has had a dreadful season, is currently 51st in the standings. His best finish came in Korea, where he shared 13th place.

Yubin Jang, Mito Pereira, Luis Masaveu, Anthony Kim, Frederik Kjettrup and Max Lee are the other full-time LIV players in danger of being relegated. 

Young-han Song, Wade Ormsby, Ollie Schniederjans, Max Rotluff, John Catlin and Minkyu Kim are also in the drop zone but have only featured fleetingly as they are the reserves that fill-in for injured players. 

Why have LIV Golf scrapped the rule?

It's more than likely because LIV Golf recently resubmitted an application to be recognised the sport's global rankings body. 

LIV initially lodged their bid for OWGR accreditation before the landmark 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022. 

They event attempted a cheeky alliance with the developmental MENA Tour in an attempt to get round the issue. 

However, their bid was rejected in October 2023, with then-chairman Peter Dawson expressing concern about the exclusive access to the breakaway.

Any issues with the league's 54-hole format could be dealt with by a mathematical formula, he said, although he conceded it 'wouldn't be perfect'. 

This rule change will likely be viewed favourably by the OWGR as LIV tries to demonstrate it meets their competitive criteria. 

Will Ian Poulter's playing career come to an end?

Telegraph Sport reported Poulter's contract expires after this season's team championship in Michigan. 

Poulter could apply to get his membership back on the DP World Tour. 

The Englishman, along with Lee Westwood, quit the Tour two years ago after they lost their arbitration case. 

As many as 12 members of the DP World Tour played in the inaugural LIV Golf event at Centurion Club and were later hit with £100,000 fines.

The penalties were temporarily lifted pending the appeal. 

It's unlikely Poulter would relish a return to his home circuit. The same can be said for Westwood. 

Westwood said LIV offered to pay off his £900,000 fines, but didn't want them to out of principle as the amount was 'daft'. 

The more likely scenario is Poulter assumes an administrative role with the Majesticks.