Ryder Cup icon Ian Poulter joins former Open champion in LIV Golf exit

Ian Poulter has confirmed he will not be part of LIV Golf's new era. 

The breakaway tour, which launched in June 2022, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States in September after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its financial support. 

It hopes to emerge in 2027 with a 75-man roster but faces a race against time to secure enough player support. 

Poulter, now 50, was among the first wave of players to be recruited by LIV, along with his former Ryder Cup teammates Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia.

The Englishman is eligible to return to the DP World Tour in 2027 but it appears he is favouring a move to the senior tours and plans to support his sons as they pursue their dreams of playing professional golf. 

His oldest son, Luke, helped Great Britain and Ireland to Walker Cup success in September and hopes to emulate his famous father. Joshua, 14, is also an avid golfer. 

"I wanted everyone to hear it direct from me that I have decided to not move forward with being part of LIV 2.0," Poulter wrote in a lengthy statement posted on his social media channels. 

"Needless to say, it was a tough decision and one I thought about and discussed at length with my family and team.

"Ultimately, the opportunity to spend more time at home with my family, reduce international travel, focus on senior golf and have the opportunity to pursue other interests was something that I felt was right for me at this stage of my life and career.

"Clearly, LIV Golf has divided opinion, but to be part of the founding group that took world class golf around the globe, showcased our great game to a new audience, built a team brand in Majesticks GC, helped innovate tournament formats and establish a leading community impact program in Little Sticks, is something I will be forever proud of. 

"And that's just scratching the surface of what we achieved together."

He added: "Change is never easy and it's fair to say professional golf has experienced plenty of it over the last few years. 

"But I've always believed that change can create opportunity and ultimately lead to positive outcomes. 

"There will undoubtedly be more changes ahead, but I am confident the game will continue to grow, evolve, and deliver the very best for golf fans around the world.

"I'm immensely grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey with LIV Golf, from my teammates and colleagues, league staff, partners and of course the fans who supported us along the way - thank you! 

"We've shared some incredible experiences, created great memories, and built friendships that will last well beyond the golf course. Whatever happens next, I wish you nothing but the very best for the future."

Poulter said he's excited about his next chapter.

He's eligible to play on the Legends Tour but would likely need to serve a suspension if he wanted to tee it up on the PGA Tour Champions circuit in the United States.

"As for what's next for me, I'm genuinely excited about this next chapter," wrote Poulter. 

"I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family, continuing to develop The Postman YouTube channel, sharing more of my life, golf, experiences and competing in some senior events.

"Something I am also particularly looking forward to is being able to spend more time helping Luke as he pursues his career in professional golf, and Joshua as he looks to develop as a golfer in his teenage years.

"Having spent so many years travelling the world chasing my own golfing dreams, the opportunity to now spend more time supporting my boys as they chase theirs is something that means a great deal to me.

"After all these years, golf has given me so much, and I'm excited about what lies ahead, both on and off the course. 

"Thanks again to everyone who has been part of the journey so far! We certainly aren't done yet!"

Poulter becomes the second high-profile player to announce they are leaving LIV Golf in the space of a week. 

On Wednesday, former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen confirmed he is also set to depart, describing the decision as the "toughest" of his career. 

Oosthuizen's decision came in the wake of Adrian Meronk, David Puig, Abraham Ancer, Charles Howell III and Thomas Pieters confirming that they, too, are leaving LIV. 

Two-time major champion Jon Rahm is the highest-profile player to quit. 

Rahm's lawyer told a judge that the Spaniard deemed LIV's terms for a proposed 2.0 format as "unacceptable". 

It means he is reportedly sacrificing £75m ($100m) to leave the league.