Ian Poulter continued his busy season on LIV Golf at Mexico City, where he finished in a tie for 25th.
LIV Golf Mexico City was the first tournament since widespread rumours of the league potentially being shut down amid speculation over funding issues.
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Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) could venture away from funding LIV Golf, but CEO Scott O’Neil remains defiant about its long-term future.
The same can be said for Poulter, who has now discussed his plans going forward along with his DP World Tour fines for competing in conflicting LIV Golf events.
Ian Poulter wants to play on LIV Golf for as long as he can
Speaking on the Rough Cut Golf Podcast, Poulter said: “I have not paid my fines. I resigned my membership a few years ago, once we had the initial ‘you need to pay me £1.1 million in fines’.
“I took objection to that and this is really disappointing. They are probably disappointed in me to go to LIV.
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“But Jon [Rahm] and Tyrrell [Hatton] have just played two years on the European Tour, they have played two Ryder Cups.
“Tyrrell has nearly won the Race to Dubai while being a LIV member. He has earned over $10 million out of the European Tour prize purses over the two years. I have not double-dipped.
“So when I sit here today, and have been part of eight Ryder Cups since 2004, I have never, ever not taken my membership every single year, when I can name a host of players that did not play in the interim year between Ryder Cups.
“So I take objection unfortunately to how this thing has all played out right now. I love the European Tour, it’s where I started, I played Challenge Tour in 1999. To play one Ryder Cup is insane, to play as many as I did, great.
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“The people that are missing out are the fans. The people that are missing out are the sponsors and the promoters for the tournaments which I haven’t played in the last four years since I resigned my membership.
“So where do I want to go with my golf in the next five years? I want to play LIV for as long as I can.
“I would love to compete against my son in whatever format that is, whether he chooses whatever tour around the world, I would love to compete against him.
“I played against him once in a tournament and it was an International Series Event at Close House and that was an unbelievable honour, but he is a different player today.
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“He is an animal today. So I would like to compete against him in some way shape or form.”
Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images
Ian Poulter’s LIV Golf plans are currently under threat
Significantly, Poulter’s long-term LIV Golf plans are in big danger, with the Englishman currently in the drop zone.
He occupies 48th place in the individual standings after the first six tournaments of the 2026 season.
A three-time winner on the PGA Tour and an icon of the European Ryder Cup team, Poulter was among the high-profile players to join LIV Golf in 2022.
But he now really needs to up his game, with players finishing 47th or below relegated out of the league.
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Poulter very narrowly escaped that fate last season, when Henrik Stenson was relegated from LIV Golf among others.
The Englishman currently captains Majesticks GC alongside Lee Westwood, and is joined in the drop zone by fellow captains Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson.
Read more:
Ian Poulter sarcastically reacts as the PGA Tour scraps Kapalua event to start their season
The PGA Tour warned there could be a ‘big problem’ if Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are allowed easy route back
Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood issue strong responses to Bryson DeChambeau’s LIV Golf exit rumors
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