Ian Poulter, one of the first players to join LIV Golf when the breakaway league launched in 2022, says he has not decided whether he will keep playing on the circuit next season.
The five-time Ryder Cup champion said in an Instagram post that he hoped LIV Golf could continue to operate, amid mounting concern over its funding, as the league wrapped up its 2026 season in Indianapolis last weekend.
"This final phase has been tough and none of us knows exactly what comes next," Poulter said. "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."
"It would be a real shame if LIV 2.0 doesn't happen," he added. "There are players who would love a strong global platform to play on and countries and fans who want us back."
"Some players will stay, some may go. As for me, I may stay or take some time off. I genuinely haven't decided yet," Poulter said.
He also defended his original decision to join the Saudi-backed tour. "I know some people didn't agree with my decision to join LIV. I've never hidden from the financial side. Golfers have received appearance fees around the world throughout my career and still do today. LIV gave me a significant opportunity late in my career and I took it. People make career decisions every day based on opportunity, family and financial security. Professional sport is no different."
Poulter is a three-time winner on the PGA Tour and a 12-time winner on the DP World Tour. He joined LIV Golf in 2022 alongside his Majesticks GC team-mate Lee Westwood, but has not won an individual or team title in his five years on the circuit.
After paying off fines for playing in the rebel league, Poulter and Westwood will return to the DP World Tour in October, teeing up at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Financial concerns at LIV Golf
Speculation has continued to mount over LIV Golf's future and the futures of the players currently on the tour. LIV Golf chief executive Scott O'Neil announced earlier this month that the league had found a new, unnamed lead investor, after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund revealed it would cut its funding to LIV Golf at the conclusion of the 2026 season, leaving league bosses searching for fresh sources of money.
A term sheet has been signed for the commercial arrangement, and O'Neil said he was hopeful the league would enter into a transaction with its new investor in September.
LIV Golf's Team Championship event in Michigan, which had been scheduled for this weekend, was subsequently cancelled, raising further alarm over the league's future. Bryson DeChambeau said "something fun" was coming and that there was "a lot of potential" for LIV Golf to continue into next year.
Poulter reflects on his LIV Golf journey
"It hasn't always been easy, and it was never going to be," Poulter said, reflecting on his time on the circuit. "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."
"We've taken this great game around the world to countries and cities that genuinely embraced us. Playing in front of crowds of over 100,000 fans at some events was truly special. To everyone who came out and supported us - thank you. You were class."
"A special thank you to my team-mates Lee, Henrik, Sam and Laurie, every member of the LIV and Majesticks staff and, most importantly, the fans who supported me," Poulter said.
"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."
