Ian Poulter has yet to reach a final decision about whether he will remain on the LIV Golf roster for the 2027 season, but he has expressed a wish that the organisation survives into next year despite growing worries about its financial backing. Poulter, who joined the breakaway circuit alongside his Majesticks Golf Club teammate Lee Westwood back in 2022, was one of the earliest high‑profile players to sign up for the venture that has been described as a "rebel league".
After LIV Golf wrapped up its 2026 campaign in Indianapolis this past weekend, the Englishman turned to Instagram to share his thoughts. He said he was still undecided about his own future on the tour, while also praising what the league has managed to achieve in a relatively short time.
"This final phase has been tough and none of us knows exactly what comes next," the five‑time Ryder Cup veteran wrote. "My thoughts are especially with the businesses and suppliers still owed money. Some are small businesses and I sincerely hope those situations are dealt with properly and quickly." He went on to stress how disappointing it would be if LIV Golf failed to secure a second incarnation.
"It would be a real shame if LIV 2.0 doesn't happen. There are players who would love a strong global platform to play on and countries and fans who want us back," Poulter added.
When pressed about his own plans, he left the door open for either staying on the circuit or taking a break. "Some players will stay, some may go. As for me, I may stay or take some time off.
I genuinely haven't decided yet," he said. Poulter also addressed the criticism he has faced for joining the league. "I know some people didn't agree with my decision to join LIV. I've never hidden from the financial side," he wrote, acknowledging that money has always been a factor in professional sport.
He reminded followers that appearance fees are a normal part of a golfer's career, noting that LIV Golf offered him a significant opportunity late in his playing days and that he seized it. "People make career decisions every day based on opportunity, family and financial security.
Professional sport is no different," he explained. After settling the fines imposed for competing in the breakaway series, both Poulter and Westwood are slated to reappear on the DP World Tour in October, beginning with the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Their return comes amid a swirl of speculation about the long‑term viability of LIV Golf and the future of the many players who have aligned themselves with the organization.
The league’s chief executive, Scott O'Neil, announced earlier this month that a new, still‑unnamed lead investor had been secured after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund signaled it would pull its funding at the end of the 2026 season. A term sheet for the new commercial arrangement has been signed, and O'Neil indicated that a definitive transaction with the fresh investor could be concluded in September. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains.
The Team Championship event that had been scheduled for Michigan this weekend was cancelled, a move that raised fresh alarm bells about the league’s financial health. Meanwhile, fellow LIV player Bryson DeChambeau hinted that "something fun was coming" and that there is still "a lot of potential" for the circuit to continue into the next year. Poulter, a three‑time winner on the PGA Tour and a 12‑time victor on the DP World Tour, has yet to capture an individual or team title during his five‑year stint with LIV Golf.
Reflecting on his experience, he admitted that building a new competition from scratch was never going to be easy. "It hasn't always been easy, and it was never going to be," he said. "Building something new and challenging the status quo was always going to bring challenges and criticism.
I sincerely thank everyone who supported me, our team and LIV throughout the journey." He highlighted the global reach the league has achieved, noting that crowds of over 100,000 spectators have attended some events, creating moments he describes as "truly special." He thanked the fans, his teammates—including Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Sam Horsfield and Laurie Canter—and the staff at both LIV and Majesticks Golf Club for their support. Beyond the tournament circuit, Poulter expressed pride in the work his own golf academy, Littlesticks, has done.
"At Majesticks GC we built an incredible team, but what I'm most proud of is Littlesticks. We've taken golf directly into the PE curriculum of over 200 schools and put clubs into the hands of more than 40,000 kids. That's a legacy our whole team should be incredibly proud of," he said. As the dust settles on the 2026 season, the golfing world watches closely to see whether a new investor will step in, whether the cancelled Michigan event will be rescheduled, and whether players like Poulter will choose to stay with LIV Golf or return full‑time to the traditional tours.
The outcome will shape the landscape of professional golf for years to come.