Ian Poulter is the latest to announce he's officially leaving LIV Golf.
The Ryder Cup legend and one of the original faces of the breakaway league announced he won’t be part of the proposed LIV 2.0, choosing instead to spend more time with his family, cut down on international travel and turn his attention toward senior golf and other interests.
“I have decided to not move forward with being part of LIV 2.0,” Poulter said in a post on X.
Life update…✍🏼 pic.twitter.com/kdSQIOmxZ0
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 23, 2026
For Poulter, 50, the decision comes after more than four years with LIV and at a time when the league’s future is increasingly uncertain.
“Needless to say, it was a tough decision and one I thought about and discussed at length with my family and team,” Poulter said. “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.”
Poulter was there from day one, playing in LIV’s inaugural event in June 2022 before becoming one of the leaders of Majesticks GC with Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson.
And despite everything that followed, Poulter leaves with no regrets.
“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,” he said. “And that's just scratching the surface of what we achieved together.”
Poulter becomes the latest big name to walk away as LIV works through Chapter 11 bankruptcy and tries to determine what the next version of the league will look like.
Louis Oosthuizen recently said he plans to leave after more than four years with LIV. Like Poulter, the 2010 British Open champion pointed to the demands of international travel.
“I want to play near one spot for three weeks at a time, not have all the big travelling for one tournament,” Oosthuizen said. “I loved LIV and the team aspect, but it’s time to move on.”
Jon Rahm and Adrian Meronk have also announced they won’t return in 2027. Rahm and LIV reached an agreement terminating his contracts with the league, with Rahm surrendering his claims against LIV’s bankruptcy estate while LIV gave up nearly all rights to his name, image, likeness, trademarks and branding. Rahm also gained control of Legion XIII’s intellectual property and trademarks.
Poulter’s decision also comes after he and longtime Ryder Cup teammate Westwood settled their million-dollar fines with the DP World Tour back in June. Poulter said in March that his outstanding fines totaled $1.1 million. Westwood’s total is believed to be in the same neighborhood.
The penalties stemmed from the pair playing LIV events without releases from the DP World Tour beginning with LIV's first tournament in June 2022. The fines continued until Poulter and Westwood resigned their DP World Tour memberships in May 2023.
Both had long insisted they wouldn't pay.
“If I personally wouldn't pay the fines myself, why would I certainly put my business partner in that position?” Poulter said in December 2024.
Poulter and Westwood will be eligible to rejoin the DP World Tour in November, although both still would have to serve suspensions that accompanied their fines. Those suspensions are believed to total about 10 weeks.
He said he plans to play some senior golf, continue building The Postman YouTube channel and, perhaps most importantly, spend more time with his sons. Luke is pursuing a professional golf career, while Joshua is developing his game as a teenager.
“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,” Poulter said.
After a career defined by seemingly endless travel, Ryder Cups and now four-plus years helping launch LIV Golf, Poulter sounds plenty ready for whatever comes next.
“After all these years, golf has given me so much, and I'm excited about what lies ahead, both on and off the course,” he said. “Thanks again to everyone who has been part of the journey so far! We certainly aren't done yet!”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Ian Poulter officially leaving LIV Golf, won’t return for LIV 2.0
