Ian Poulter is set to follow his controversial appearance at the Genesis Scottish Open with more scheduled appearances on the DP World Tour this summer.
British star Poulter is one of three golfers to defect to the breakaway LIV tour, which is bankrolled by the Saudi regime notorious for human rights abuses, and successfully appeal their suspensions from the Scottish Open, which begins on Thursday. The decision was made by Sport Resolutions (UK) and upheld the appeal made by Poulter along with Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding against their ban.
The body also upheld the appeal against two further co-sanctioned tournaments with the PGA Tour as well as their individual fines of £100,000. LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman had already announced that the Saudi-backed series would cover any fines issued to their golfers who had left the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
Poulter is set to play in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and the news will likely frustrate many of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour loyalists, who are already frustrated the Englishman is competing. Rory McIlroy told BBC he was frustrated that golfers were displaying a ‘have cake and eat it’ attitude.
It is unlikely that a full inquiry into their case will happen soon, so Poulter is set to play in the third LIV event in New Jersey in three weeks. After a planned holiday with his family, the Englishman is set to play at the Czech Masters and the BMW and may add more events to his schedule amid his indefinite suspension from the PGA Tour - and the 46-year-old has shrugged off the perceived anger of his colleagues.
“I haven’t felt any issues at all,” said Poulter. “I’m not going to talk about the public comments of other players, I have no interest in that.
“I had a talk with Thomas Bjorn at the JP McManus pro-am on Monday and it is fair to say his opinion is different to mine. But I have known Thomas for 25 years and I’m not going to fall out with him about it.”
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Poulter did admit that his golf had been badly affected by the fallout following the emergence of LIV Golf which has divided the golfing world. He added: “It is not an easy process to go through, it has been exhausting.
“When you have been with a tour for 24 years and never given your card in as quite a few have, you don’t want to feel like you have been completely pushed out. I’ve played in 389 events on this tour and over the years I’ve been as committed as anyone.
“I feel comfortable in my position on this tour. Why should that change? I don’t want it to change.”
It is likely that plenty more LIV players, including Lee Westwood, are set to follow Poulter’s lead and go to Wentworth which will lead to another high-profile event shrouded in controversy. As a result, 2021 Open champion Collin Morikawa admitted his frustration at LIV Golf and the decisions made by such defectors.
“When you look at the incredible field, I think there are a lot more stories that you can write about than Poulter,” said Morikawa.
