Ian Poulter is done with LIV Golf.

The 50-year-old Englishman is the latest to leave the breakaway golf league after it declared bankruptcy. Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia, and Joaquin Niemann are among those who jumped ship before him, leaving basically nobody to play in 2027. 

Poulter has been one of LIV’s most divisive members since he signed in 2022. He’s burned bridges with Europe’s Ryder Cup team and many of its players, including Rory McIlroy. McIlroy, meanwhile, served as the face of the PGA Tour in its battle against LIV and was outspoken against Poulter and the tour. 

The career grand slam winner said he felt betrayed by Poulter when he left the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy explained why he felt betrayed by Ian Poulter when he joined LIV Golf

One of McIlroy’s major concerns when LIV Golf was created was the future of Europe’s Ryder Cup team. With so many legends walking out the door, he said that he felt betrayed by the idea that they would jeopardize their place at the Ryder Cup for the Saudi money.

The Northern Irishman said, “It’s a weird thing. I think it is the first time in my life that I have felt betrayal, in a way. It’s an unfamiliar feeling to me. You build bonds with these people through Ryder Cups and other things. Them knowing that what they are about to do is going to jeopardise them from being a part of that ever again?

There was a great opportunity for GMac to maybe be the captain at Adare in 2027. Most of Sergio’s legacy is Ryder Cup-based, same with Poulter, Westwood. I would like to think the Ryder Cup means as much to them as it does to me. Maybe it does. But knowing what the consequences could be, I just could never make that decision.

“OK, it might not be 100% certain but that it could be the outcome? It just isn’t a move I would be willing to make. I thought they felt the same way. I feel like the place where they have been able to build their legacy and build their brand, they have just left behind.

“You could make the same argument about me, I started in Europe and went to America but I have always been supportive of the traditional system. If people felt so aggrieved about some things, I’d rather be trying to make those changes from inside the walls than trying to go outside and be disruptive.”

McIlroy was then asked if his relationship with the likes of Poulter, Westwood and Garcia could survive their move to LIV, and he responded, “I have no idea. I wouldn’t say I’ve got much of a relationship with them at the minute. They are here and are playing the golf tournament.

“My opinion is they shouldn’t be, but again that’s just my opinion. But if you’re just talking about Ryder Cup, that’s not the future of the Ryder Cup team. They’ve played in probably a combined 25, 30 Ryder Cups, whatever it is.

“The Hojgaards (Rasmus and Nicolai), Bobby Mac (Robert MacIntyre), whoever else is coming up – they are the future of the Ryder Cup team. That’s what we should be thinking about and talking about.”

“It’s incredibly divisive and does it bring more eyeballs on to golf? Probably, because people are interested in the soap opera of it all, but that’s not golf. The most interesting thing about LIV is the rumours and who is going and who is not going. It’s not the golf right now. It might be at some stage, but right now it’s the rumour mill that’s fuelling it.

“So when you come back here and you play DP World Tour or PGA Tour, you’re watching the golf and you’re watching who is going to win tournaments and have context and mean something. That’s why I’m speaking up.”

How Ian Poulter responded to Rory McIlroy’s comments

McIlroy’s comments were then put to Poulter, who insisted he wasn’t giving up the Ryder Cup for LIV Golf.

He said, “We can still qualify for the team as far as I am aware. Unless we have been told we can’t qualify I am still ready to play as much as I can and try and make that team.

“My commitment to the Ryder Cup goes before me. I don’t think that should ever come into question.”

Poulter continued, “I have always wanted to play Ryder Cups and played with as much passion as anyone I have ever seen play a Ryder Cup. I don’t know where that comment has really come from to be honest.”

It’s true that LIV players could still qualify for the Ryder Cup. Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau all played major roles in 2025. But Poulter hasn’t played well enough to make the team, and Luke Donald didn’t choose any LIV players as Vice Captains.

So while the very best players were still chosen to play for the team, the legends of the Ryder Cup like Garcia, Westwood, and Poulter were left behind. Now they’re looking for a way to get back into the system after leaving LIV.