Ahead of the LIV Golf United Kingdom event at JCB Golf Club, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter revealed the reasoning behind their decision to settle the fines they owed to the DP World Tour.

The Majesticks co-captains joined LIV Golf for its controversial inception back in June 2022 and racked up fines for playing in competing events without permission from what was formerly the European Tour.

They eventually resigned their memberships in 2023 to avoid incurring more financial penalties but have now settled their debts.

Explaining why, Poulter said: “The fines were always going to be paid at some point, and that was down to myself and Lee to choose when that time was right.

“Look, the European Tour and LIV Golf and the acceptance of it all, it's all in a very different position today than what it was four years ago when we were being fined the way we were. There are no fines in place today for guys that are playing on LIV Golf, and that's a massive change.

“When you look certainly how Jon [Rahm] and Tyrrell [Hatton] were treated back in the day, to still be able to play European Tour golf and play in Ryder Cups. Look, things are moving forward in the right direction.”

Does this mean Poulter will some DP World Tour events to his schedule in the future?

“I'm not sure yet, to be honest with you,” he added. “I'm still hopeful that things work out in the right way for me to play a number of different tournaments at different times.

“My exemptions are being burnt year in, year out right now which is unfortunate because they took the opportunity in November, if you didn't rejoin they would reduce your exemption years year in, year out. It's a shame they did that. It's a shame they devalued the legends category from 5A to 11A, which isn't helpful to get in certain tournaments.

“We'll see. If some of the tournaments directors would really like me to go and play in their tournament and it doesn't compete, they know my number. I've played those tournaments before. If they want to give me a call, then let's have a chat.”

Westwood had always been fairly adamant he would not pay his fines to the DP World Tour, but that was before Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund decided to stop backing LIV Golf at the end of this season.

“Just to follow on from what Ian said, what it does is gives us options having them paid,” Westwood said. “When the current financial backers of the tour are talking about pulling out and we're being indemnified, it just makes sense to get them paid straight away before they do pull out. That's really why we had them paid when we did.

“But I still don't agree with the fines because we are being completely treated differently to the people playing on this tour. I think the fines were excessive, as well, when you consider what other people did and how much they got fined historically.”

Ian Poulter is making his US Senior Open debut this week. Does that make you feel old?

It really doesn't seem that long ago since 'The Postman' was holing huge putts for Team Europe with that spiky hair and blond streaks.

However, the man from Hertfordshire in England - who now plies his trade in the LIV Golf League - turned 50 in January, and he looks excited to be back playing in a Major championship.

“I feel like a spring chicken,” he told the USGA as he began his preparation at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio.

“It feels a bit surreal, to be honest. It’s so amazing to see and catch up with the guys that I watched back in the day.

“I didn’t know what to expect, to be honest, but it’s been great. It’s been a busy morning catching up with old friends, is what I would say.”

The Majesticks GC co-captain announced that he would be making his US Senior Open debut on Instagram earlier this year, not long after he became eligible.

“When you know you’re getting old,” he joked.

Poulter shared a few highlights of his round with the USGA as he walked the course with Welshman Jamie Donaldson.

Another of his close friends, Darren Clarke, who recently enjoyed victory at at the PGA Tour Champions' American Family Insurance Championship for the second-straight year, is also teeing it up at Scioto.

“I just had a flick through the yardage book, looking at some of the clever green complexes,” said a relaxed Poulter.

“A lot of the front edges of the green are like super squared off. I like it - it looks great.”

Poulter, who lives in Orlando, Florida, was getting back to work after spending the last few weeks enjoying the FIFA World Cup in America.

Last week, the keen Arsenal fan joined fellow Englishmen Alex and Matt Fitzpatrick, and Justin Rose, for the England versus Ghana game.

However, it’s back to work now as Poulter looks to achieve what fellow LIV Golf player Richard Bland did at Newport, Rhode Island in 2024, and win a Major Championship, which is something that has evaded him for a long time.

The 12-time DP World Tour winner has a best finish of tied 12th at the US Open, and has managed top-10s in the other three Major championships, including a runner-up spot at The Open in 2008.

Earlier this month, Poulter and fellow LIV golfer Lee Westwood settled their $1 million DP World Tour fines after resigning their memberships in 2023.

First reported by Golfweek, a spokesperson from the DP World Tour confirmed that both players had “settled the fines imposed on them”.

It is thought Poulter's fines amounted to roughly $1.1 million.

After breaking away and joining LIV Golf, both Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood racked up hefty fines with the DP World Tour.

That infringement dates back to June 2022, when they first played a LIV Golf event, with every DP World Tour event they missed from then on through to 2023, when they resigned from the circuit, adding to their punishment.

Throughout that period, both Poulter and Westwood vehemently refused to pay the fines, deeming them unfair.

In recent weeks, however, the news of LIV Golf's future has left its players in limbo and, consequently, it appears that Poulter and Westwood are ready to make amends.

First reported by Golfweek, a spokesperson from the DP World Tour confirmed that both players had "settled the fines imposed on them".

It is thought Poulter's fines amounted to roughly $1.1 million, with Westwood's figure expected to be in the same region.

In the past, Poulter refused to let PIF pay his fines, stating: "If I personally wouldn't pay the fines myself, why would I certainly put my business partner in that position?"

Westwood had added: "I'm not paying them because I disagree with the way they've been handed out."

The pair even brought the case before the Sport Resolutions body in the UK, but it was determined the fines were fair.

There are many in the game who would like to see LIV Golfers start at the bottom if they return to the PGA Tour if the league folds; whatever the route back into the game for Poulter and Westwood, it looks like they've at least opened the door to the DP World Tour once more.

They will have to serve suspensions, which are thought to add up to around 10 weeks, but after that they should be free to rejoin the circuit.

There is one thing they will likely never get back, though, and that is the chance to become Ryder Cup captains.

A rule established by the DP World Tour in 2017 dictated that any player who abandons their membership for any reason can no longer be eligible for a leadership position in the Ryder Cup.

This was reiterated by the DP World Tour spokesperson, who added: "Under our current regulations, even if they were to rejoin as members, neither can serve as a Captain or Vice Captain in the Ryder Cup."

Ian Poulter has sounded out a warning that if LIV Golf folds then the DP World Tour could be in big trouble.

With the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirming the withdrawal of funding at the end of the season, LIV Golf now has to find outside investment to continue operations.

CEO Scott O'Neil and players such as Poulter remain optimistic, but if the worst case scenario hits then the Englishman fears it could have wide ranging implications.

And although he's had his differences with the DP World Tour since leaving for LIV, Poulter told The Telegraph's James Corrigan that he's concerned for the future of the European golf circuit.

Poulter says his worries stem for the heavy reliance the DP World Tour has on funding from the PGA Tour - and without LIV Golf around, officials from Ponte Vedra Beach may rethink their strategic alliance.

“I fear for them,” Poulter told The Telegraph. “Even though I resigned, I played for 23 straight years on the European Tour and do actually care about where I learnt my trade.

"I fear that they can’t afford for us [LIV] to go away. Because if we go away, it does not look very good for them.

"The PGA Tour has underpinned their prize funds and paid out in the last couple of years. We are talking hundreds of millions. Now if that stops... well, it’s not rocket science.”

Poulter says the PGA Tour now having outside investment from Strategic Sports Group and creating a for-profit entity could force some changes in the strategic alliance deal - which is up for renewal in 2027.

“The PGA Tour now has private equity and they want as much return as possible on their investment,” Poulter added.

“So with the European Tour costing all this money... again, it’s not rocket science.”

Poulter says teams crucial for LIV Golf 2.0

Poulter believes a LIV Golf 2.0 could fit in alongside the PGA and DP World Tour in some form, even though changes will be needed, which could include a reduced schedule and prize money.

“I think there’s opportunity with potentially different models of how they could sit within the system of golf with franchise teams,” Poulter said at LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National DC.

“Does it sit at the back end of the year? Does it sit partially at the back end of the year and in the middle of the year? There’s so many different scenarios that are being played out right now, which is all being discussed."

After five seasons and over $5bn of investment the Saudis are cutting funds, but Poulter says there are successes to look at, including events, team building and attracting a younger audience.

“Look what happened in Australia. Look what happened in South Africa," he added.

“Look, we’ve been able to have 10 teams that are actually profitable this year. And look at the fan base that we’ve grown. And look at what we’ve done inside the ecosystem of golf.

“Bringing more kids into the game of golf. More families coming. There’s so many positives in a five-year window of what we’ve been able to achieve. It’s remarkable.

"From nothing and all headwinds. It’s been five years of headwinds from Day 1. They’ve given every bit of restraint that they could possibly push our way. I actually think we’ve done an amazing job, I really do.”

'I’ve got enough money to never play golf again'

Poulter is now 50, eligible for the seniors circuit, and after a fine career on the course and some savvy business deals off it has enough cash in the bank to call it quits now if he wanted.

With his sons Luke and Josh possibly entering men's pro golf he could just follow them, but he continues to insist he is driven to see LIV Golf survive, in whatever format it can.

“I’m not giving you a sob story,” he said. “Of course, I’m not. I don’t have to do anything. I’ve got enough money to never play golf again. I could put my clubs down tomorrow and sustain the lifestyle that I have for ever. My family is fine, my children are fine.

"Luke is the 15th-highest ranked [amateur] in the world and I could just go and watch him. And in Josh, I am coaching him and could have a Poulter 3.0. But I believe in LIV and think it can still prosper. And I want and intend to be a part of that.”

Ian Poulter says it was a "mercenary" move to allow Brooks Koepka back from LIV Golf that shows the two factions are still fighting - but had a solution that involved PGA Tour players joining the team-based competition.

Koepka left LIV Golf to head back to the PGA Tour, which introduced a limited-time Returning Member Program with a criteria that fitted only him, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.

Poulter saw that as more of a "hostile" move rather than a conciliatory one - and one aimed at just trying to take LIV Golf's biggest assets away from it.

So with hostilities still ongoing, Poulter says that a way of moving forward could be to turn the tables and include PGA Tour players in LIV Golf teams.

As while LIV Golf's future is reportedly up in the air, Poulter says the PGA Tour faces its own "stress" to make more money, so could do with a boost.

Why Koepka return was 'hostile' PGA Tour move

Speaking to Peter Finch on the Rough Cut Golf Podcast, Poulter was pretty clear on his opinions of Koepka's PGA Tour return.

“What did they really open up?” said Poulter. “They gave an opportunity to four players and four players only.

“That’s not really opening up. You’ll only take back players - Brooks, five majors, Cam Smith, who’s won The Players Championship and the Open Championship. You would take back Bryson DeChambeau, and you gave the opportunity to Jon Rahm. F*** everyone else.

“We just wanted the biggest four assets that we can nick back from LIV and we don’t want any of you lot.

“How does that look? I don’t think it looks very good. It’s a mercenary way to turn around to say we’ll just scoop a load of your assets back or try to scoop a load of them back. There’s a still a fight. That’s a hostile offer in my opinion.

"There's a share option to the [PGA Tour] members, so if they take back two or three players their share option becomes more valuable, so they're doing it for their back pocket, so it's still messy."

Why couldn’t they be PGA Tour teams?

With continuing reports about the future of Saudi PIF funding for LIV, PGA Tour boss Brian Rolapp has said he will monitor the situation but keep an open mind on more possible returning players.

When asked for a way forward for both tours, Poulter reversed the direction of travel and suggested what would be a blockbuster move of including PGA Tour stars in LIV Golf.

“There’s an opportunity to have two or three more teams in LIV. Why couldn’t they be PGA Tour teams?" said Poulter.

"Why couldn’t you give 12 players – the top 12 or the 12 who want to play a certain number of events?

“The PGA Tour are shortening the schedule. They need to monetise their business as soon as possible. Brian Rolapp has said the TV deal is up for negotiation.

“They want to reduce some of the tournaments. They want those events to be big events so everyone can play the same events. The investment made into the PGA Tour – they want this thing to make money.

“There’s a lot of stress and pressure on the PGA Tour for them to make this make money.

"I don’t have the perfect fix but we could take in three more teams so surely there’s a bit of give and take on both sides to a point to go, surely there’s space for 12 guys - not just four - to be able to play in a chunk of tournaments on the PGA Tour.”

Followers of Ian Poulter got a few big insights into his Ryder Cup captaincy ambitions, his current fines situation with the DPWT and why we could see him at The Open this summer - but not like we've seen him before.

The LIV Golf player took to Instagram for a Q&A session with fans, as sports stars often do - but this one was more revealing than most.

As the European golfing legend talked about still having $1.1m in fines outstanding from joining LIV Golf and why the DP World Tour should've taken a deal offered by the Saudi Arabia PIF.

With his Ryder Cup chances assessed and why his son Luke holds the key to him appearing at Royal Birkdale this summer it was quite the informative Q&A.

Here's the pick of the revelations...

Poulter on Ryder Cup captaincy

"I actually think they don't want me back," Poulter told one user.

"I've tried but they haven't responded. Which is a shame as they do know what the Ryder Cup has meant to me through the years."

He added he won't leave LIV Golf just in the hope of getting the nod for the Ryder Cup.

"Two LIV players have already played a Ryder Cup after joining LIV so I don't understand the difference."

Poulter told another user that Luke Donald "has done an amazing job" and backed him to be successful in his third stint at Adare Manor.

Europe's 'Postman' says he'd love to return to the competition but that "they are not trying to open that door" in reference to the DP World Tour.

Why DP World Tour should've done PIF deal

Poulter revealed that: "European Tour were offered a deal in 2021 by the PIF and they failed to respond to that deal."

Poulter noted a deal was done with the PGA Tour instead, but sounded a warning for the European golf circuit about the future.

"I hope they don't get dumped by the PGA Tour when that contract expires as the rumblings don't look good.

"Or that they don't have to sign over a big part of the Ryder Cup which is the only thing that actually makes any money in that business."

He signed that response off by saying: "Golf with the biggest investor in the world on your side would be good for everyone."

Could we see Poulter at The Open?

Ian Poulter won't be playing at The Open this year as he's playing at the US Senior Open so can't make qualifying - but he could still be walking the fairways of Royal Brikdale.

And that's if son Luke manages to qualify, as he'll be on his bag for the tournament.

"If Luke qualifies I will be caddying for him at the Open," said Poulter.

Both Luke and his dad missed out on qualifying for The Open last year after playing in the same even at Royal Cinque Ports, while Luke also only just missed out on qualifying for the US Open after losing a playoff.

Poulter still owes $1.1m fines

This was in response to a fan asking if Poulter would play in the Alfred Dunhill Links, to which he replied: "I can't as I'm not a member of the DP World Tour.

"I haven't paid my $1.1m fines for playing the first eight LIV events so even if I was given an invite I couldn't play."

The fines situation remains a major issue to be sorted out, especially with the case of Jon Rahm who is refusing to pay his although his main issue is with being told he also has to play six events to get his card back.

If Poulter was back on the DP World Tour he says he'd like to play at Wentworth, the Scottish and Irish Opens and events in the Middle East as the ones he missed most.

He also cheekily thanked "all the events that paid me appearance money through the years, which was a lot of them" which is no doubt in reference to one part of the LIV Golf saga about players being paid to play at certain events.

Poulter also insisted he "won't get relegated" from LIV Golf in response to another question, but the 2026 season hadn't started so great as he's currently in the drop zone in 49th after three finishes in the 40s and a best of T27 so far.

Poulter will hope for a change in fortunes as he plays in LIV Golf's first ever South African event coming up this week.

Tensions spilled over on Saturday at the Ryder Cup as crowd abuse towards Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry crossed the line - and European legend Ian Poulter says that the "game of golf lost."

Poulter is not at the Ryder Cup for the second consecutive edition after joining LIV Golf in 2022 but he knows a thing or two about playing away against partisan US crowds.

In fact, earlier this week a SportBible video emerged of him calling some US fan behavior in the past as "complete and utter embarrassing stupidity."

Poulter is watching at home this week and gave a strong verdict on what he saw on Saturday at Bethpage - and his comments will mirror what many European golf fans feel.

"I've been quiet on social and just observing the Ryder Cup matches," he wrote on Instagram.

"NY was always going to be a load intense battle. My hope would have been for this have been played out without some altercations and just pure passion from the crowd.

"It's over spilled and now become ugly and is not a good look for golf. This unfortunately was always going to happen.

"Team Europe have held their cool so well under such conditions. This is a blood bath.

"The Game of golf lost today. The consolation is that Europe won on the day."

Europe dominated proceedings once again to win their fourth consecutive session - something that an away side has never previously achieved in Ryder Cup history.

Luke Donald's team is also the first since 1979 to reach 11.5 points prior to singles.

The Sunday Singles will be led out by the match between Cameron Young and Justin Rose, with Europe only requiring three points to win the Ryder Cup or 2.5 points to retain the trophy.

The 2025 Ryder Cup will be remembered for one of the greatest team performances of all time, but it will also be remembered for the ugly scenes on Saturday.

Let's hope respect and dignity can be restored on Sunday.

During such a hectic time of the season in the world of golf, it can be quite easy to miss out on a story here or there. Several concurrent events require more eyeballs than a human has at their disposal and more screens that most households have available.

Last weekend was a prime example of the golf fan seeing their attention split across too many tournaments in one go.

The PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs took place with Scottie Scheffler picking up yet another win. Then there was the culmination of the LIV Golf League's Individual Championship and the final of the US Amateur.

But did you also notice who won the Standard Portland Classic on the LPGA Tour or which potential Ryder Cup star claimed the Danish Golf Championship on the DP World Tour?

What about the Korn Ferry Tour or PGA Tour Champions? While the winners of the biggest events might have registered, here are a handful of stories you might have missed last weekend.

GRIFFIN'S CREATINE SNOWBALL 'OVERDOSE'

During the early stages of Ben Griffin's final round at the BMW Championship, the American found himself in a spot of trouble after taking a little too much creatine - the organic compound that he has been supplementing his diet with for months now.

Explaining the situation to reporters after, the two-time PGA Tour winner shared that he had taken the supplement on the first but swallowed "a snowball's worth" and found himself shaking shortly after.

He made a triple-bogey at the first thanks to a four-putt and was "freaking out" on the second before making a double-bogey. A bogey at the third did not help his cause, but Griffin's caddie made him down a bottle of water and calm down before the 29-year-old settled down and recovered to shoot seven-under through the remaining 15 holes.

IAN POULTER SURVIVES LIV RELEGATION

Ian Poulter was staring down the barrel of relegation from the LIV Golf League with fewer than nine holes remaining in the season on Sunday.

The Postman had only secured one point-scoring week in 12 events before Indianapolis, but he pulled out a miraculous run with time expiring at Chatham Hills to save his skin and relegate Majesticks teammate, Henrik Stenson instead.

Having started on the fourth, Poulter was two-under on his front side via birdies at the 11th and 12th holes. However, he gave those strokes back at the 14th and 16th to fall outside of the points.

Needing four birdies in his final five holes to even stand a chance of escaping the Drop Zone, the Ryder Cup legend reeled off four in a row to lift himself above the dotted line.

Stenson had one final chance to survive courtesy of a 12-foot putt at the 18th, but he drilled it wide and saw his time with the LIV Golf League end, unless he tries to earn his way back via the Promotions event later in the year.

IWAI WINS PORTLAND CLASSIC

Akie Iwai won the 2025 Standard Portland Classic by four strokes after carding a final round of six-under at Columbia Edgwater's Macan Course.

The 23-year-old finished on 24-under for the week, five strokes ahead of her sister Chisato who shot eight-under on Sunday, and joined her sibling in becoming a first-time LPGA Tour winner in 2025.

It's the latest big win for a Japanese pro this season, too, following on from Mao Saigo and Miyu Yamashita earning their maiden Major victories earlier in the year.

SCHAUFFELE MISSES TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

Xander Schauffele missed out on the Tour Championship for the first time since joining the PGA Tour in 2016-17. His T28th finish at the BMW Championship wasn't enough to propel him into the top-30, with the World No.3 finishing 42nd in the FedEx Cup standings.

Back in 2017, Schauffele became the first rookie to win the Tour Championship when he defeated Justin Thomas by one stroke. Since then, he has finished inside the top-five in all but one campaign. That was 2018 when he finished 15th.

BERGER WITHDRAWS

Before play began at the BMW Championship, Daniel Berger stood 33rd in the FedEx Cup standings and had a perfectly reasonable chance of reaching the Tour Championship a year after finishing outside of the top-140.

However, he was forced to withdraw prior to his final-round tee time due to injury and saw his season end immediately. The four-time PGA Tour winner had carded rounds of 71, 69 and 72 to that point and would have been perfectly capable of booking his spot at East Lake with a solid Sunday outing. As it was, he ended the year 45th in the standings.

WHAT ELSE DID YOU MISS?

• BMW Championship runner-up, Robert MacIntyre moves up to career-high 8th in the OWGR
• Danish Golf Championship winner, Marco Penge is now up to career-high 73rd in the world and 14th in Team Europe's Ryder Cup standings
• Six players confirmed for Team USA's Ryder Cup roster: Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Bryson DeChambeau and Harris English
• Tyrrell Hatton and MacIntyre joined Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood in Team Europe's confirmed Ryder Cup roster
• Sky Sports and the USGA agreed an extension to their broadcast deal to show the US Open on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland until 2030
• Mexico's Emilio Gonzalez won the Korn Ferry Tour's Albertsons Boise Open by a stroke from USA's Jeffrey Kang
• Neal Shipley joined Austin Smotherman and Johnny Keefer in earning full PGA Tour status for 2026 as a result of his season's results on the Korn Ferry Tour
• Australia's Richard Green won the PGA Tour Champions' Rogers Charity Classic by one stroke from Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez for his first senior golf title
• Luke Poulter qualified for Team GB&I's Walker Cup roster

Ian Poulter's LIV Golf career is hanging in the balance with the Englishman currently in the Drop Zone heading into the final individual event of the season this week in Indianapolis.

The Ryder Cup legend joined the Saudi-backed breakaway tour in 2022 as a co-captain of the Majesticks GC franchise alongside fellow Ryder Cup stalwarts Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson.

If Poulter does not finish at least inside the top 24 this week his fate will be sealed for now, with LIV Golf reporting that he has just a 6.4% chance of avoiding relegation.

If he does indeed end in the Drop Zone, the question will turn to what's next? He would still remain as an owner of the Majesticks team but without a LIV card.

Relegation does not automatically mean the end of what has been an illustrious 30-year playing career, though.

Here are some potential scenarios if he loses his LIV card this week...

Return to LIV Golf?

Last year, Bubba Watson and Branden Grace were both relegated but were brought back onto their teams due to a rule that allowed players to keep their places if there was a 'business case' for their returns.

That, it seems, does not apply this year with new CEO Scott O'Neil at the helm and another application in with the Official World Golf Ranking to be sanctioned for points - which is believed to require LIV to have an official relegation policy with no gray areas.

That doesn't spell the end of the road for Poulter in LIV Golf, though, as he would still have two remaining avenues.

The first of those is via the International Series ranking, where the top player earns a full LIV Golf card for next season.

The Asian Tour series is backed by LIV Golf and features 10 elevated tournaments around the world.

There have been four events so far this year, with six more to come between October and November. Poulter would likely play in the majority of those if he were to get relegated and was set on earning his status back.

International Series remaining tournaments:

• Indonesian Masters, Oct 2-5
• International Series Cambodia, Oct 9-12
• International Series Philipines, Oct 23-26
• Hong Kong Open, Oct 30-Nov 2
• Singapore Open, Nov 6-9
• Saudi International, Nov 19-22

Poulter's other route back to LIV Golf would be via the Promotions Event in December, where the winner earns a card for next season.

Details of the 2025 event have not been confirmed yet, with last year's tournament at Riyadh Golf Club being won by Chieh-po Lee - the Taiwanese player who has played as a wildcard this season.

Asian Tour

If Poulter does lose his spot on LIV Golf and fails to earn his way back, the most likely route would be to see him playing on the Asian Tour.

He turns 50 in January so it would be highly unlikely to see him play a full schedule, but he may opt to compete on the International Series to try and earn back his LIV card.

DP World Tour

Poulter resigned his membership with the DP World Tour in 2022 so the chances of him returning to the European circuit seem slim.

To rejoin, he would need to pay his outstanding fines in the same manner that Sergio Garcia did last year to keep his Ryder Cup hopes alive.

The Englishman could possibly have his fines paid by LIV Golf - although he ruled out a return last year in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

“I personally wouldn’t pay because I felt it was unjust at the time to be fined $100,000 a week because it makes no sense to me at all," he told SI.

“My stance has never changed. I’ve played golf all over the world. I was never paying fines by Europe for when I played outside of Europe on other tours around the world so my stance still today is exactly the same stance as I had three years ago.

“I still stand with the first words that I think it's not right. It's very unjustifiable.

"And if I personally wouldn't pay the fines myself. why would I certainly put my business partner in that position to pay $2.4m towards a Ryder Cup that I'm actually not going to play in?”

PGA Tour Champions

With Poulter turning 50 in January, he would be at the age to qualify for the PGA Tour Champions.

The over-50s circuit is sanctioned by the PGA Tour, however, so he would be suspended until a year has passed after his final LIV Golf start.

This means that he could well be eligible to take up membership from September next year before playing a full season in 2027.

He could also go through US Senior Open qualifying, although he would not be eligible for the Senior Open due to it being co-owned by the DP World Tour.

With just one individual event left in the 2025 LIV Golf League season, Ian Poulter knows he is drinking in the last-chance saloon as he looks to save his career on the PIF-backed circuit.

The Postman was among the first crop of players to move over to LIV from the PGA Tour back in 2022, scoring 16 points and finishing 31st thanks to four top-24 results from seven starts in his inaugural season.

It was a similar story for the five-time Ryder Cup winner in 2023 as his 22 points secured him 34th place in the season's standings. Then, last term, Poulter's fifth-place result in Chicago and T8th in Hong Kong went a long way to securing his status for 2025.

But, through 12 events this term, the European golf legend has only finished in the points once. That occurred at LIV Golf Korea as rounds of 69, 73 and 68 helped Poulter to a T13th-place finish.

His best result otherwise is a T30th at LIV Golf Riyadh - the first tournament of the year - with a handful of other finishes in the low-30s, still outside of the top-24 where points are awarded.

Ahead of LIV Golf Indianapolis, which is the final individual event of the season, Poulter has 4.5 points and knows he requires a top-20 finish as a minimum if he is not to be relegated.

While Poulter is one of several big names in danger of relegation from LIV Golf, he is arguably the brightest star of them all and needs one of his best results this year if he is to play another season in the 54-hole competition.

The message out of LIV Golf this year is that absolutely no one is exempt from relegation, no matter their standing. So despite being a co-captain of Majesticks alongside Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood, Poulter could still lose his spot.

Should that happen, the only way back immediately would be for Poulter to take part in and triumph at the LIV Golf Promotions event later this year.

However, that would not be necessary should he bridge the 1.02-point gap to 48th place at The Club at Chatham Hills.

This is where it could become slightly awkward for Poulter and his Majesticks GC teammates, though, because the two players directly above the dotted line are Stenson and Westwood.

The Swede is in the most danger on 5.52 points while Westwood has 7.20. Mito Pereira holds the first relegation spot with 5.10 so could only need to finish T24th with one other player to survive.

For Westwood to be hauled under, the Chilean will need to finish 17th or higher at LIV Golf Indianapolis while Poulter would require the same result and Andy Ogletree - who sits one place above him - to end outside the points.

Should Poulter not manage to secure the necessary points to retain his place, the Englishman's three-year stint with LIV may end with earnings of over $8.1 million.

In that scenario, Poulter's subsequent options are limited. He would not be allowed back to the PGA Tour for at least a year and has resigned his DP World Tour membership, leaving him with the potential to make starts on the Asian Tour via the International Series.

However, should that not appeal, Poulter may consider retirement off the back of career earnings in excess of $40 million.

Ultimately, a career which began in 1995 could be days away from ending with a potential goodbye set for the LIV Golf Team Championship in Michigan later this month.

LIV Golf Relegation Zone 2025

Bryson DeChambeau has been blazing a trail for pro golfers to diversify and enter the world of YouTube golf, and now Ian Poulter is the latest to join him.

Phil Mickelson is another to have made the foray into YouTube, joining online star Grant Horvat for a few of his videos.

And now Poulter has entered the market, with what looks like a well-produced series called The Postman, leaning on his Ryder Cup nickname for inspiration.

From the trailer, it looks like Poulter has gone all-out for what looks and feels more like a polished TV series - with guests such as Sir Andy Murray and props such as a row of supercars showing he's not spared much expense.

It's just the latest sign that pro golf is chasing the online audience more and more, and that male pro golfers are looking to expand their reach.

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have been both trying to attract the online audience - LIV signing up Rick Shiels and producing 'The Duels' while the PGA Tour has the Creator Classic series.

DeChambeau is the trailblazer, with now over 2 million subscribers on YouTube thanks to collaborations with a host of online golfing personalities and unique social media content such as hitting a hole-in-one over his own house.

Poulter is looking to follow in those footsteps in creating his own channel which looks to have a similar mix of big-name guests and some golfing challenges.

Playing on LIV Golf with the smaller schedule gives players much more time for other ventures, and it seems that creating a YouTube channel is becoming a popular move.

So much so that other top pros may look to join this growing trend and look to produce their own video channels - but could that spell trouble for the original YouTubers?

The household names all have huge followings so there'll be no panic just yet, but if the big names such as DeChambeau, Mickelson and Poulter pick up too much of the online audience then it could become an issue.

So, we'll have to wait and see how Poulter's online enterprise takes off, and if it inspires even more pros to join the YouTube ranks.

Luke Poulter agonizingly missed out on his first-ever start at a Major despite a superb performance in US Open Final Qualifying on Monday.

The son of European Ryder Cup legend, Ian posted 10-under across his two rounds at Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida but fell in a direct playoff against American pro, Austen Truslow.

The 21-year-old ended one stroke behind automatic qualifiers Justin Hicks, Philip Barbaree Jr and amateur, Frankie Harris in regulation, but ultimately ended up with the first alternate spot ahead of 18-year-old pro, Blades Brown.

Despite not guaranteeing his Major debut at Oakmont Country Club later this month, Poulter could end up travelling to Pennsylvania anyway after finishing above the likes of former Masters low amateur, Neal Shipley, European Ryder Cup winner, Nicolai Hojgaard and 2010 US Open champion, Graeme McDowell.

Poulter gave himself a solid foundation and a real chance of success in round one thanks to four bogeys and just one bogey at Emerald Dunes before going out in the afternoon and producing a near-perfect performance when the pressure was really on.

A remarkable eagle-birdie-birdie start put the Florida State sophomore four-under through three holes and fired him up the leaderboard right out of the gate. From there, Poulter made another gain at the sixth to head for home brimming with confidence following just 31 strokes on his front nine.

The amateur birdied the 10th to reach six-under for the day and nine-under for his Final Qualifying display, but there were not be no further circles on his scorecard prior to the par-3 16th.

Knowing one more gain would have rubber stamped his spot at the US Open but a slip-up would spell disaster inside the final two holes, Poulter parred his way to the clubhouse and took his chance on extra holes.

Unfortunately for the 2025 Schenkel Invitational collegiate champion, he lost to a birdie from Truslow on the second extra playoff hole and will now face an anxious waiting game to learn his fate.

Reacting to the result on his Instagram, Luke's father, Ian wrote: "I can't believe how impressive today's 65 was to get into that position. We keep using this as incredible experience and we keep getting better. An alternate spot but not sure what number it will be."

Ian has played in 72 Majors across his career, with the first being the 2000 Open Championship and the most recent being the 2022 Open.

The Postman's first US Open was at Shinnecock Hills in 2004, where he missed the cut. But just two years later, Poulter managed his best ever result at a US Open, finishing T12th at Winged Foot.

Should enough players withdraw from the US Open later this month, Luke will have the chance to better that record between June 12-15 when the Championship takes place.

Luke Poulter has endured a tumultuous past 12 months or so, to say the least, but he is on track to enjoy the biggest high of his young career so far.

The son of legendary European golfer, Ian Poulter fractured part of his back this time last year and spent around seven months rehabilitating before returning with great success on the college scene.

Poulter has won two collegiate events in 2025 - besting the likes of US Amateur finalist and Masters competitor, Noah Kent along the way - and was gradually building his competitive reps before having another crack at accessing his first Major.

That quest took a significant step on Thursday after Poulter made it through to US Open Final Qualifying following an inspired performance at Hawkstone Country Club in Florida.

The young English talent was one of five players to qualify for 'Golf's Longest Day' - on either May 19 or June 2 - after shooting a five-under 66 to finish solo fourth.

Having made it through the opening nine on three-under with a run of birdies at the end, Poulter scored his fourth gain at the 10th before picking up consecutive birdies at the 15th and 16th holes.

Bogey-free until his final hole of the day, a five on the par-4 18th was inconsequential for the 20-year-old as he slotted in above Georgia pro, Luke Schniederjans by one stroke and behind fellow amateur, Joshua Bai who ended on six-under. The co-medallists - on seven-under - were Georgia amateur, Mason Howell and Tennessee pro, Jake Hall.

Sharing his pride at Luke's achievement on Instagram, the Majesticks co-captain wrote: "Well done @lukepoults24 getting one of the top-5 spots at Local Qualifying and now onto Final Qualifying for the @usopengolf. Go get it, buddy. Keep doing you. It's wonderful to watch.

"To think 367 days ago @lukepoults24 you broke your back at US Open Local Qualifying and you waited patiently in recovery for seven months and you got through today to Finals. Go make your first Major, mate."

Poulter, who is on the University of Florida men's golf team along with Bai, could well attend the Final Qualifying event at Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach on June 2 as he looks to book a spot at Oakmont Country Club a couple of weeks later. The Poulter family are based in Orlando, with Ian midway through his latest season with LIV Golf and preparing for LIV Golf Virginia early next month.

The Postman has previously stated that he would love Luke to join him on the PIF-backed tour once he finishes college, with a strong run of form as a Gator - including a win at the Schenkel Invitational earlier this year - suggesting the 20-year-old might have what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Luke was also 22nd at the International Series England back in 2023 with his father narrowly missing out on the title at Close House.

Hoping to realize his dream of following in his dad's footsteps and becoming a pro golfer, the sophomore still has two years of school remaining to continue learning his craft and possibly accumulate even more opportunities to reach Major championships.

Ian Poulter spoke of his pride at watching son Luke battle back from a serious injury after he won a qualifier while playing for the University of Florida.

A sophomore for the Florida Gators men's golf squad, and 334th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Poulter won the Gators Invitational qualifying event - to the delight of his father.

Poulter Jr finished the four-round event on 12 under, carding rounds of 64, 69, 68 and 67 to win the tournament, with Poulter Sr proudly posting the result on social media.

And there was serious quality in the field too, with Poulter Jr beating US Amateur runner-up Noah Kent, who will be playing in The Masters this year, and World No.5 amateur Ian Gilligan.

Europe's Ryder Cup talisman said he was "so proud" of his son, who has won two qualifying events on his return from a lengthy injury.

Luke Poulter spent a large portion of last year dealing with a serious back injury, but fighting back to fitness, and winning on his return, has been a huge joy to watch for his father.

"After spending seven months out of golf in 2024 with a fractured back he has rebuilt himself and come back even stronger," beamed Ian Poulter on Instagram.

"Showing himself he has what it takes. Winning qualiying in his first two events back is awesome to see."

Luke Poulter has had some decent results on the collegiate scene, and also did well in the pro ranks, finishing 22nd when playing the International Series England event in 2023 alongside dad Ian.

Ian Poulter has said he hopes his son joins him on LIV Golf in his Majesticks side once he is done in college, and he certainly seems to have his father's grit and determination to make the pro game.

Back injuries can be tough to recover from for golfers, but Poulter coming back and winning qualifying events shows he really has done the work in rehab.

If he continues with that sort of work ethic, then we could see another Poulter in the men's pro game before too long.

"Never say never" was Ian Poulter's response when asked if he could return to the Ryder Cup fold in the future.

Poulter discussed his Ryder Cup future in an exclusive with Al Arabiya, and also spoke about his plans to emulate Bryson DeChambeau's online success and thoughts on night golf.

The 2025 LIV Golf season began in Riyadh amid plenty of news coming through about the Saudi-backed circuit - including a new TV deal in the UK with ITV.

US President Donald Trump also held a meeting with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in what could be a breakthrough in the protracted talks about a Saudi PIF investment deal.

So plenty for Poulter to ponder on, with obviously the Ryder Cup a big talking point should that elusive PGA Tour-PIF deal come to fruition.

“Never say never right," Poulter replied when asked about a Ryder Cup return by Al Arabiya's Micheal Prendergast.

"As it stands today that isn’t an option for me, but things change quite quickly like we’ve seen in the golf landscape, so let’s see how things play out, you never know.”

One thing the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have in common is the pursuit of a younger audience and accessing golfers through social media.

LIV Golf signed up Rick Shiels as an ambassador to help push its content to his audience, while Bryson DeChambeau has attracted a huge following for his entertaining YouTube golfing exploits.

And now Poulter may be joining those ranks too, saying that "in the not too distant future you might see a digital channel coming out, so you’ll have to wait and see” when quizzed about his online plans.

The LIV opener in Riyadh has more innovation from the team tour with the event being played at night under floodlights - which has taken some getting used to.

“It’s been good for me, half man half mattress I like to lay in, so obviously teeing off at 6pm is very different," Poulter said of his night golf experience.

"But from a golf playability perspective it’s new, it’s innovative, like when you see it as it is now, it looks very different at night, so a good test for us all I think, to be able to really kind of pick your lines off the tee visually.

"It’s a challenge, but it’s a great challenge, the lights obviously very different, standing there you’ll have the odd shadow which you have to get used to when you’re setting up over the ball, but I think it’s brilliant.

"I think for us to showcase live golf and do it in a slightly different way and make it a bit more fun, you’ll see that over the coverage.”

Ian Poulter has revealed that he wouldn’t consider taking Sergio Garcia’s approach to a potential return to the European Ryder Cup team – namely, paying the fines necessary to allow him to rejoin the DP World Tour and become eligible.

The LIV Golf player gave his opinions in an extensive interview conducted by Sports Illustrated’s Matt Vincenzi. He began by offering his thoughts on the fact that, as things stand, he won’t become Team Europe Ryder Cup captain anytime soon.

He said: “As it stands today I’m currently not a member of the European Tour so I am not eligible to be able to become captain or vice captain, so until that position changes you can only really play the hypothetical game of how I really feel up until that point."

He then moved onto the subject of fellow LIV golfer and Ryder Cup legend Garcia, who has rejoined the DP World Tour for the opportunity to be considered for the 2025 match at Bethpage Black.

Poulter is convinced Garcia has what it takes to build on his record as the Ryder Cup’s leading points scorer, but he’s less sure of his chances of making the 12-man team.

“I haven’t spoken to Luke Donald, to be honest," he explained. "I don’t know if Luke has had any conversations with Sergio at length.

“Obviously, Sergio finished third last year on the Order of Merit in LIV which obviously shows what Sergio’s still capable of but as far as his options within the chances of a) playing his way into contention to be in the top six, to make an automatic pick or how much will he be considered by Luke and what would it take for that to happen.

“I don’t know how many tournaments Sergio is earmarking to play in Europe so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Poulter, who has made seven Ryder Cup appearances, then questioned the merit of taking Garcia’s lead considering the huge amount of money due to the DP World Tour in fines to even be considered. He added: “My part on that is it’s going to be expensive for Sergio to be eligible to play in that Ryder Cup.

“He would have had a $1m worth of fines paid already. He’ll play 14 LIV events next year, five of them are fineable of $100,000 a week so he would have spent, or LIV would have spent $2.4m to give him that freedom to have a chance. That’s a lot of money spent to try and make a team.”

Poulter also confirmed that LIV golfers have their fines covered by an indemnity policy, but despite that, he said wouldn’t be prepared to see his fines paid. He said: “I personally wouldn’t pay because I felt it was unjust at the time to be fined $100,000 a week because it makes no sense to me at all.

“My stance has never changed. I’ve played golf all over the world. I was never paying fines by Europe for when I played outside of Europe on other tours around the world so my stance still today is exactly the same stance as I had three years ago.”

On the subject of the Ryder Cup and money, Poulter also addressed a report that members of the US team will receive a $400,000 payment for appearing at the match, and he pointed out that Garcia’s determination to make the European team despite the huge financial burden is in stark contrast to the US position.

He said: “Well, Sergio’s going to pay $2.4m to play, so the Americans want paying and Sergio’s willing to pay $2.4m to try and play. It’s two very big things, right, two opposite ends of the scale so I think Rory [McIlroy] and Shane [Lowry] said it, that it’s been an incredible privilege to be able to have that honor to play and I think they’re right."

Ian Poulter has been a member of the LIV Golf League for two years now and says the positives surrounding his move from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour are plentiful.

The 48-year-old has earned millions of dollars while rediscovering his love for playing all around the world and has been freed up by a slimmed-down schedule, too.

And while wins have been harder to come by than he would have liked, Poulter and his Majesticks have yet to record one, the Englishman has loved his time with the PIF-backed circuit.

However, after acknowledging that there is not much that he longs for from the previous chapter of his career, Poulter admitted there is one thing he does miss.

Speaking exclusively to Golf Monthly at the International Series England, one of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that awards the rankings leader a spot in LIV Golf League, he said: "What do I miss about DP World Tour and PGA Tour? Well, there's not a lot I miss, because, you know, I'm doing the same thing I was doing on LIV. The format change is different, obviously.

"I do miss some friends. The guy you would have seen for 20 weeks a year, which obviously you don't really see them anymore. So that probably the only thing I would say I miss."

During the first part of a pro career that began in 1995, the majority of Poulter's time was taken up by DP World Tour events across Asia, Africa and - of course, Europe - allowing Poulter and his fellow competitors to explore the world and showcase high-level golf in all four corners.

But as he began featuring more on the PGA Tour, Poulter's passport was used slightly less.

Now a part of LIV - which has eight tournaments outside of the US in its 14-event schedule - the five-time Ryder Cup winner is delighted to be back travelling more once again.

He said: "While I was a global player, back when I was part of the PGA Tour before LIV, I played in Japan and Australia and Singapore and Hong Kong and Korea and all of these global international destinations, we're doing exactly the same thing with LIV.

"I think, for me, certainly the travel aspect is something I've always embraced. The fun thing for me at LIV is we're doing exactly the same thing.

"I enjoy taking the game of golf and the LIV product to these destinations which, for somewhat of the last five years beforehand, we probably did slightly less travel. And that's one of the massive pluses for me, with all of the guys, is being able to take this great game to the rest of the world."

LIV Golf's Ian Poulter insists collaboration must be at the forefront of unification plans if the sport - at the men's pro level - is to reconvene and thrive.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan recently acknowledged that discussions with the PIF remain "ongoing" but that a deal is unlikely to see LIV Golf and the other leading world tours in men's pro golf join together before 2028, at the earliest.

While those talks appear to still have a long way to go before a conclusion is reached, golfers and fans alike remain free to sketch out what the future of the sport could look like in an ideal world.

Speaking exclusively to Golf Monthly at the International Series England, one of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that awards the rankings leader with a spot in LIV Golf League, Poulter shared how he wants to see events playing out in the next few years.

Poulter said: "Look, I think the bigger picture would be having a collaboration where the best players in the world have an opportunity to compete again with one another. How that lays itself out, we have yet to see but hopefully the game of golf will put us back in that position at some point.

"Again, how that's going to look with the amount of events that we have on LIV and how people can perhaps cross over to both maybe PGA Tour, DP World Tour and obviously the Asian Tour, it is finding a way to make it work for everybody. Find out a way to make it right so there is going to have to be a level of compromise from all sides, to be honest, to make it work."

Since the initial June 6 agreement back in 2023, progress towards a completed deal seems to have crawled along at a snail's pace, although both sides have continued to insist that the situation remains positive.

Poulter, who is likely to turn 50 before a resolution is found, pointed out that the complexity of the entire issue means a deal was always likely to take years rather than months.

He continued: "The structure of that is quite complex and I think that's one of the issues when some people in the outside world are frustrated it's taken so long. It's not easy, there's a lot of play here to make these things work. We as players are hopeful at some point, we can find a way to figure this thing out."

Poulter - who was forced to withdraw before the start of the International Series England with an ankle issue - is expected to be back fit for LIV Golf Greenbrier this weekend, the penultimate tournament of the individual campaign.

LIV Golf star Ian Poulter has been forced to withdraw from the Asian Tour's International Series England event this week due to an injury.

The Majesticks co-captain was expected to tee it up at Foxhills Country Club in what would have been his second home appearance inside a month - following on from LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf and Country Club - but was advised to miss the tournament in Surrey after the reoccurrence of an ankle issue.

In his last start, Poulter finished T27 at LIV Golf UK, which took place days before the men's Olympic golf tournament at Le Golf National - a course where he previously helped Team Europe to Ryder Cup success in 2018.

Having watched fellow countryman Tommy Fleetwood claim silver for Team GB on Sunday, however, Poulter started the following day with a drop of less positive news.

In a statement posted on Poulter's social media accounts which explained the injury further, Poulter said: "Unfortunately, I've been forced to withdraw from this weeks International Series event at Fox Hills Country Club.

"An ankle injury I had earlier in the season has reappeared and after consultation with my team, I've been advised on resting it in order to reduce the inflammation."

Home fans who were hoping to see one of the best English golfers of all time may not be totally disappointed, though, after Poulter revealed he was still planning to show his support for the event at the weekend.

His statement continued: "There is nothing better than playing in front of home fans and I'm gutted to miss out on another opportunity after a fantastic week at LIV Golf UK.

"I plan on being at Fox Hills on Saturday to support the event and hopefully will have a chance to meet some of you there. I wish all the competitors in the field, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders a great week. Poults."

Among the other notable names who are currently confirmed to play the International Series England tournament include Michael Block and former PGA Tour regular - now Smash GC member - Jason Kokrak.

Several other star LIV golfers are included in the field, such as; two-time senior Major winner Richard Bland and relegation-threatened Harold Varner III, Branden Grace, and the Vincent brothers.

John Catlin, Eugenio Chacarra, Anirban Lahiri, Thomas Pieters, Kalle Samooja, and Caleb Surratt complete the LIV Golf contingent at Foxhills this week.

LIV Golf is in England at the majestic JCB Golf Club this week and Ian Poulter is back on home soil to try and claim his first LIV Golf title. The Englishman has played crucial roles in seven Ryder Cups and has won 17 times across multiple tours worldwide, despite not yet breaking through on the newly-formed LIV Golf Tour.

WATCH: Ian Poulter talks through the clubs in his bag

Unique and custom clubs and even ‘tour only’ golf balls are something we are used to seeing in the bags of some of the best professional golfers but never before have we heard of custom golf gloves. That was before Golf Monthly’s Joe Ferguson managed to catch up with Ian Poulter this week on the range and found out that the Postman has his own custom-made FootJoy golf gloves.

“I travel with all my own gloves. FootJoy makes all my gloves for me. If I put a standard medium-large glove on, they end up being too short on the wrist. The glove being short in the hand annoys me and they feel way too small. If I put a large glove on, they become way too big in the fingers,” explains Poulter.

In order to find the perfect fit FootJoy custom makes Poulter's gloves so he can feel fully comfortable before walking into any shot. “FootJoy has essentially moved the elasticated band down by 10 millimetres to make it longer in the palm,” Poulter added.

While most club golfers wouldn’t always notice the difference between each glove, being so precise is one of the reasons why these professionals get to the level they are playing at. Poulter continued by saying “I’d search through three boxes of gloves, in order to just find three or four that would fit. That’s not unusual, many guys go through boxes to find the ones that fit. Some have fat thumbs, some the leather is thicker or thinner but to find the right glove that fits perfectly is priceless.”

Poulter will tee it up alongside his Majesticks co-captains, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson, as well as young talent Sam Horsfield, as the side looks to claim the team trophy this week.

They're billed as the 'home' team for this week's LIV Golf UK event at JCB Golf & Country Club even down to having a Majesticks pub on site - where Ian Poulter is hoping to celebrate a much-needed victory.

Poulter has just one top 10 on LIV Golf this season, but enjoyed some of his best results on home soil last year - with a T11 at LIV Golf London in 2023 and a runner-up spot at the Asian Tour's International Series England.

Now Poulter is hoping the backing of a home crowd, including a special Majesticks pub on the course, can help spark a victory he's desperate for after a disappointing spell of results.

The 48-year-old says a home victory would mean a great deal to him, especially given his age, and hopes to celebrate success in his team's watering hole.

"It would mean an awful lot," said Poulter of winning this week. "I don’t think I’ve delivered the performance in the LIV events that I think I should have done. I’m not happy with my play over the last couple of seasons. I think I’m very close. 

"Had one decent round of golf and two okay rounds of golf and played 16 great holes and two poor holes. 

"For me, it’s about having the right adrenaline, the right attitude, the right mindset to go out there this week, have fun on the golf course with the fans, enjoy myself, and hopefully if we are successful this week, this will rank pretty highly, being 48 and a bit. 

"Hopefully if I do win, we can keep the pub open until early hours on Monday morning and celebrate with 14,000."

Majesticks team-mate Sam Horsfield is a true home player this week as a member at JCB who lives nearby, while Lee Westwood is a native of the area, and that theme of having a home team is one LIV Golf is looking to develop.

Phil Mickelson has talked about his team having a home course, where they would host LIV Golf events but also coaching clinics and other tournaments - and it's something Poulter, Westwood, Henrik Stenson and Horsfield are looking at for the future.

"Yeah, we've been talking about that," said Westwood. "It's at a very early stage, but it's certainly something that we should look at in the future and certainly consider, yeah, very, very seriously. 

"I think it makes perfect sense to have home courses for every team and use those venues, and then when the tournament isn't there, you can use it for other purposes. 

"We could bring - just thinking out loud, we could bring Little Sticks to it certain weeks of the year, have ladies' tournaments there, girls' tournaments, other junior tournaments. Yeah, there's infinite possibilities."

Poulter added: "It comes down to finance at the end of the day. If we deliver on the golf course and win five tournaments next year, we can push this forward a bit quicker.

"I think every team has been tasked with a go-forward plan; what does three, five, ten years look like, and it's definitely in that window of don't think small, think big. 

"So we're sitting here trying to think big and how big we can take this Majesticks GC franchise, and home venue would be amazing. We need a location, we need some funding, and obviously if we play really well, then it will be that."

Plenty of parents harbor ambitions of seeing their children follow them into a similar line of work, and it turns out that Majesticks co-captain Ian Poulter is no different.

The Ryder Cup legend is proud father to Luke - a talented college golfer at the University of Florida who has his sights set on turning pro and possibly teeing it up against Team USA one day.

The 20-year-old has only played one season of college golf so far and is still finding his feet, but Luke is already shaping up to be a good match-play golfer like his dad, with a 2-1 record overall and his only defeat coming to 2024 American Express winner, Nick Dunlap.

Further down the line, following a couple more years at college for Luke and a handful more seasons in the LIV Golf League for the 48-year-old, Poulter senior is hopeful his son - who "finally" claimed victory over his dad for the first time last year - could take his spot in the Majesticks GC line-up.

The man with 17 professional wins to his name said: "Hopefully, one day [Luke] can take over the reigns from me as a Majesticks GC player. We'll see how his next three years at college goes, but I'd love nothing more than for Luke to wear the Majesticks shirt."

The World No.338 amateur is currently out with a back injury, however, and is not expected to return to playing until around September time. Poulter - who was twice named SEC Freshman of the Week last term - has been working too hard, according to his dad and needs to learn to manage his body better as he navigates his college career.

Ian Poulter said: "Luke had a good year at college, but he's going to have a bit of time out at the minute. He's picked up a back injury which is pretty frustrating. Our younger generation have learned how to work hard, but they haven't quite learned how to hit the rest and recovery button just yet.

"Luke's golf game is very good, but he's going to have to start again probably at the end of September. He's going to be probably four or five months out, having some rehab.

"His scans are OK - they're improving - and hopefully this is a great learning exercise for him as a young athlete. It can't all be hard work in the gym and hitting balls. You have to be able to manage your body and manage your load."

Once Luke has returned to full fitness later this year, the 20-year-old will continue on with his journey towards what he hopes will be a long and successful spell in the pro game.

Yet his father - who turned pro in 1995 - is starting to turn attention towards the next chapter in his career and says while he endeavours to play LIV Golf for a little while longer yet, it is undeniable that he cannot do that forever.

Asked what the future looks like for both him and his Majesticks team, Poulter revealed his franchise is looking to form a kind of academy in order to create a successful transition for the next generation.

He said: "We are looking to bring on some players at some point. We are looking to have some academy players. We are looking to support our next generation of players. So when that time comes, they will be able to move into the team and feel very comfortable.

"Like any team, players come and go. This is no different. So from a business sense, it's been quite interesting for us to have two heads to look at that, but it's quite exciting as well.

"And from a day-to-day running aspect, Henrik [Stenson], Lee [Westwood], and I have had 75-plus years of experience within this game, and there's a lot of value that we can add to this team. Not just to the younger generation of kids that are going to come through onto our team, but from a sponsor aspect, entertaining clients and sponsors.

"So, yeah, there is a lot that we can add to Team Majesticks GC, even when our golf clubs are going to carry a bit more dust."

Poulter is preparing to play in LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama Golf Club between July 12-14 before LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf and Country Club takes place July 26-28.

As Tommy Fleetwood's long-standing caddie Ian Finnis continues to recover at home from open-heart surgery last month, the World No.11 has borrowed former Ryder Cup teammate, Ian Poulter's current looper for this week's PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Finnis was admitted into hospital a few weeks before The Masters, leaving Fleetwood to secure his best-ever finish (T3) around Augusta - and a life-changing payday for Gray Moore, a former caddie master at the golfing nirvana - without his regular sidekick.

As the Englishman broke his top-10 duck at Augusta, though, his 44-year-old caddie was undergoing successful open-heart surgery at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital after medics discovered life-threatening issues.

Somewhat surprisingly, Fleetwood's caddie of seven years revealed he was asked to do limited exercise the day after being in intensive care. But Finnis admitted it did do him some good and he is aiming to be back alongside his mate Fleetwood at the Scottish Open in July.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Finnis said: “They had me attempting to walk the day after in intensive care. It’s a balance, but you need to use your heart to get it better. I’m aiming to get back in July for the Scottish Open and then the Open the week after.”

Fleetwood insists he has told his buddy not to rush back and make sure he is absolutely fit before returning to the strenuous role of caddying.

He said: “I’ve spoken to him a lot through the whole thing, obviously, and the process went from not knowing what’s wrong to finding out and not believing this is actually happening, to worrying about the operation.

“But it’s great that the operation was a success and that he’s on the mend. His aim is Scotland, but I’ve told him the thing is not to rush. You get wrapped up in what you’re doing out here, but this has told us that health is everything.”

For now, Fleetwood is making do with temporary caddies - his latest being David Clark - Poulter's assistant. Also an Englishman, Clark has worked for the likes of Justin Rose, Vijay Singh, Adam Scott, and Michelle Wie West during a 20-plus-year career.

Discussing what he brings to the table as a caddie in a 2021 PGA Tour interview alongside Rose, Clark said: “That is one thing I think I help players with – loosening them up and being happy and trying to just take them away from what they’re trying to do out there.”

Clark also helped out Cameron Champ at the Wells Fargo Championship last week and could well return to Fleetwood's side for the third men's Major of the year at Pinehurst No. 2 course.

“It’s great to have him, as he is very experienced,” Fleetwood said of Clark. “I spoke to Poults and he was great about it. Clarky worked last week and is here this week, and hopefully will be at the US Open next month. It doesn’t conflict with Poults’ schedule so all good.”

Fleetwood is set to tee off alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Akshay Bhatia at 8:59am in round one of the PGA Championship on Thursday.

Ian Poulter is set to return to his homeland for the International Series England event and is one of a number of LIV Golf players to be confirmed in the field at Foxhills Club & Resort from August 8-11.

It is the second time that Poulter will play the Asian Tour’s enhanced event on British soil after he finished runner-up in last year's edition.

The co-captain of Majesticks GC will be joined by a host of other LIV Golf League players in the heart of Surrey, including his teammate Sam Horsfield.

Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion representing Smash GC, has also been confirmed, as have Harold Varner III of 4Aces GC, Anirban Lahiri from Crushers GC, Branden Grace from Stinger GC, and Richard Bland of Cleeks GC.

“Playing in England has and always will be very special for me. Having home crowds and family and friends supporting is always awesome,” Poulter, 48, said.

"I’m very much looking forward to playing the International Series event at Foxhills. For me to be back home is going to be a truly special summer.

“Foxhills is a course that is only one hour [and] 20 [minutes] from my front door, but it is a course I have not played yet. I am looking forward to getting there and playing a few practice rounds and getting a look at the venue, and then really giving it a good go.”

Poulter has amassed three PGA Tour victories and 12 DP World Tour titles in his career to date but made his name in the Ryder Cup. His total of 16 points helped Team Europe win five of the seven Ryder Cups he appeared in and earned him the nickname ‘The Postman’.

A host of stars from the Asian Tour have also been confirmed as they seek invaluable points in the season-long race for The International Series Rankings title, with the champion securing a place on the LIV Golf League roster. There are also over 30 places available for the season-ending LIV Golf Promotions event.

Poulter added: “With the scheduling that the Asian Tour has done, it enables a few of the LIV Golf players to compete on The International Series which is fantastic. I think you will see a lot of guys play events like this to get that extra competition and also gain valuable world ranking points.

“It is fantastic for everyone, it boosts the competition and gives the Asian Tour those stronger fields and higher purses, and that provides a great stepping stone for those players striving to get onto the LIV Golf League, which is potentially life changing.

"It gives them a fantastic opportunity and with that you are seeing better competition, stronger international fields and great golf generally."

Ian Poulter has commended Rory McIlroy for recent comments made by the Northern Irishman surrounding the future of golf while also accusing an unnamed third party of being "two faced" in a surprising social-media post.

Nicknamed 'The Postman', Poulter shared two separate Instagram stories on Tuesday, January 16 in which he indirectly took aim at people who he believed had changed their mind with regard to LIV Golf and its involvement in the sport moving forward.

Poulter said: "Being two-faced is a terrible trait. I'd be embarrassed having to change my story now and come out and try and look smart. I'm happy to sit down and have it out. I will happily say it as it is. Enough of the b*****it."

In the second post, he said: "Just for clarity, I applaud Rory McIlroy for his comments a few weeks ago. It takes a lot to say the things he said. Nothing that can't be fixed over a good cup of coffee. It's the others who blatantly choose to try and NOW become heroes all of a sudden. You have to be kidding me. That will NOT be fixed over a coffee."

McIlroy had been one of the fiercest critics of LIV during its early days but has recently softened his stance and admitted that it "is now a part of our sport" while offering up an idea for it be integrated with a genuine world-wide tour. The 34-year-old suggested LIV runs in two blocked-out points in the golfing calendar in order to put team play under the microscope.

He said: “What I would love LIV to turn into is almost like the Indian Premier League of golf. The IPL in cricket, they take two months during the calendar, you have four weeks in May and four weeks in November, and you go and do this team stuff – it’s a bit different, and it’s a different format. If they were to do something like that, I think that sounds like fun – you’re at least working within the ecosystem."

While it is unclear exactly who Poulter has taken issue with, the Englishman's relative praise for McIlroy ruled him out of contention and further clouds the mystery surrounding the guilty party.

Poulter and McIlroy have been paired together at the Ryder Cup on six separate occasions since the latter's debut in 2010 - recording just 2.5 points.

In 2021 at Whistling Straits - as Team USA utterly dominated proceedings from start to finish - Poulter and McIlroy lost 5&3 to Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay on Friday afternoon. The European pair later fell 4&3 on Saturday afternoon against Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa.

At Le Golf National in 2018, the pair took one point from their two matches together after claiming a 4&2 victory over Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson in Friday afternoon's fourballs. They then fell 4&3 against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth on Saturday afternoon.

Poulter and McIlroy managed a half together when facing off against Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler in the Saturday afternoon foursomes at Gleneagles in 2014. The former pair had previously secured a point for Team Europe during the early stages of the Miracle at Medinah in 2012 when they beat Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson 1up in the Saturday afternoon fourballs.

Branden Grace says that a stronger LIV Golf League now contains “14 Majors out here” that won’t see such dominant victories such as what their Stinger GC achieved at Centurion last year.

The South African plays on a team full of his compatriots alongside Major champions Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel and completed by Dean Burmester.

LIV Golf returns to Centurion a year after it all began, and despite doubts over the future of the new tour after the PGA Tour-PIF deal, the word from the players is that it’s business as usual.

Ian poulter says it’s full steam ahead while his Majesticks teammate Lee Westwood expects LIV to go from strength to strength after the deal.

And Grace agrees, saying that the field is now much stronger than the one from last year, when Schwartzel led a sweep of the podium places as Stingers won by 14 shots.

“Everything is just getting stronger and better,” said Grace. “The teams are stronger now. There's more guys, hopefully more guys coming to make it even stronger. To finish one-two-three I don't think is going to happen pretty soon if ever again.

“I think we as a team won by 16 shots last year. It's so strong now, I don't think anybody has won with more than let's say five shots ever since that. But it's nice to be here. 

"The fields are getting stronger. We just have to keep playing good golf. We've got 14 Majors out here now, so we have to play really well.

“I think last year Louis was very clever. He racked us up in a team before everything really even started. He had a plan behind his madness.”

A lot has happened in the 12 moths since LIV began at Centurion, but Grace believes the tour has continued to get better as time has gone on. 

“Obviously last year this time was a little nerve-racking,” Grace added. “We didn't know what was going on, what to expect, and look at where we are now. Everything has gotten bigger and better as the weeks progressed on. 

“Obviously the way we started last year was like a fairy-tale start, getting one-two-three on the podium and the team win, as well. 

"It's just amazing how things have progressed, how happy we are, how we're enjoying golf, how we're enjoying the environment, and it's great to be here.”

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Ian Poulter says it's "full steam ahead" for LIV Golf despite some uncertainty about the future of the tour - while he and Lee Westwood heaped praise on Greg Norman with his position also in some doubt.

The framework agreement between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) still has to be ironed out - with Jay Monahan initially said to have the final say on LIV's future after conducting a review.

Fans of LIV Golf say it will only get bigger and better, while opponents think its days will be numbered - but however LIV fits into the new golfing landscape, Poulter believes it isn't going away.

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The Englishman's Majesticks team have been busy signing sponsorship deals in a clear statement that they mean to hang around - and he says the word from the top is that it's business as usual.

"I mean, look, I can only talk about the stuff that I know, which is that LIV is moving full steam ahead," Poulter said ahead of the latest LIV Golf League event at Centurion.

"It's business as usual. I don't know all the incidentals of the framework agreement, how that framework agreement is going to be pulled together on either party, either of the three. I don't know the investment piece of all of the three and how the evaluations are going.

"I can only comment on facts, and the facts that I know is that LIV is moving forward; it's business as usual. So for us, that's exciting.

"Can't speculate on the speculation that's out there, but we are full steam ahead at LIV and as Team Majesticks."

It's a sentiment that was echoed by reigning Open champion Cam Smith, who joined LIV soon after winning the Claret Jug at St Andrews.

"I really can't see LIV Golf going away," said Smith. "I think team golf is here to stay, and if you asked every one of us out here, all the 48 guys, I think everyone has such a good time and everyone enjoys what they're doing out here.

"They love the competition, that team element really brings three or four guys really close that perhaps weren't before. It's good to see. It's unique. I don't think it's going anywhere."

Greg Norman's 'done a great job'

LIV commissioner Norman has been keeping a lower profile than usual ever since the PGA Tour-PIF deal was announced, but he received praise from both Westwood and Poulter.

"I think it's good that everybody is sitting down now and trying to work together," Westwood said of the big new golf deal. "I see LIV getting stronger and stronger from what I've been told from people that actually know rather than speculate and from people that don't have all the facts.

"With regards to Greg, he's the commissioner of this tour. I've always had a great relationship with Greg. I always take people as I find them, and he's always been great to me. 

"He's stuck by his word with regard to LIV and where it's going and never kept us in the dark, always informed us of anything that's going to happen.

"I'm delighted with the way Greg has handled all this and the way he's conveyed everything to me. I can't talk for the other guys, but no complaints."

Poulter agreed, adding: "Yeah, I'll always take Greg as I've always found him. He's been good to me. I think he's done a great job. 

"It's not an easy job. I think he's done a great job."

Ian Poulter explained that scheduling was a factor behind his decision not to try and qualify for the Open Championship, while Lee Westwood had hoped to play in the Senior Open before he was denied entry.

The fact that Final Qualifying for the Open was staged in between LIV Golf events at Valderrama and at Centurion Club outside London was a factor for the European veterans.

Playing 36 holes of tough links golf sandwiched between big LIV events was not something Poulter, 47, and 50-year-old Westwood really fancied taking on - even as much as they'd like to have teed it up at Royal Liverpool.

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Poulter still feels that he should have had a chance of qualifying through Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points - that LIV is currently being refused due to the format.

"Look, I've missed lots of Majors through the years," said Poulter. "I've missed the Masters. I've missed lots of opportunities. When you're not top 60, you're not in the US Open; you're not top 50, you're not in the Masters; you're not top 50 or earn it through an Order of Merit position to get in the Open Championship. 

"It's not the first time. It won't be the last time unless we can get some World Ranking points and move back up into a position where I can automatically qualify.

"I've got 14 events on my calendar season. There will be a couple of addition to see that. It's a shorter season than what I have played in the past.

"I feel better, fresher, stronger, when I'm competing here on LIV, and as Lee said, if the qualifying date wasn't the date it was, maybe I'd have qualified or attempted to try and qualify. 

"But to sandwich 36 holes right in the middle of two tournaments that I'm working hard to play well on didn't make sense for me at the time."

Westwood unhappy with Senior Open snub

For Westwood, he fancied taking on the Senior Open having celebrated his 50th birthday, but he was denied entry due to the ongoing fallout from LIV Golf, which upset his schedule.

"I sit down at the start of the year, do a schedule, and see when the qualifying was for the Open Championship," Westwood explained. 

"I knew this was going to be a busy week, knew that I played Valderrama, thought it was a good opportunity to play my first ever seniors event and it be the Seniors Open Championship, which is the week after the Open.

"So I'd entered and committed to that. Unfortunately, the Seniors Open doesn't look to be as open as the Open Championship, so was barred from playing in that. So now got three weeks off, and then I'll go into more LIV events.

"My idea and goal was to go and play in the Seniors Open Championship the week after, being 50 and it be my first opportunity. I thought that was going to give me the best opportunity to perform well and have a chance at winning that."

Westwood did not rule out trying to qualify for the Open again next year if the scheduling fits in - as this year will be the first he's missed in 28 years.

"The Open Championship is the greatest championship in the world as far as I'm concerned," he added. "I've played 29, 30 in a row. I had a lot of fun playing in them. But as you get older, things come to an end, and you can't just keep playing.

"Maybe I'll try and qualify next year. See when it is.

"It's just that I knew that I was in this event and not for sure in the Open Championship, so you've got to plan for what you know or tournaments that you think you're going to be in without other things kind of transpiring.

"You can't always be right. There's always ifs and buts in there."

Martin Kaymer says LIV Golf players should be allowed to play in the Ryder Cup in the future, but admitted Europe shouldn’t make a late change for this year as “there’s too much chaos anyway” in the current men’s game.

The PGA Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) may have agreed a deal to try and bring men’s golf back together again, but for now Ryder Cup qualification remains a headache.

European captain Luke Donald is moving forward towards Rome without any LIV Golf involvement – meaning the likes of Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood will play no part on or off the course at Marco Simone later this year.

The waters are a bit muddier for Zach Johnson with Brooks Koepka looking nailed-on to finish in the automatic qualifying spots in the Team USA Ryder Cup standings, while Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and even Patrick Reed could press their cases with strong showings at the Open next month.

And Kaymer, forever written into Ryder Cup folklore as the man who finished off the Miracle of Medinah in 2012, would like to see LIV Golf players included in future events – even though for this year at least there’s “too much chaos” to change European plans this late in the day.

“I think this year nothing should change, if you ask me. There’s too much chaos anyway, obviously the US team is their own thing,” said Kaymer.

“But, going forward, it would be nice for the golf fans and us players who want to play against the best players from both continents and I think it shouldn’t matter where you play, whether it is LIV, DP World, PGA Tour.”

Kaymer wants golfers from all tours to be eligible for future Ryder Cup, but accepts it’s too late to change things for Europe now – which includes quashing any talk of Henrik Stenson being included after the Swede lost the captaincy after switching to LIV.

“Wherever you play, you should be eligible for the Ryder Cup if you’re good enough,” Kaymer added. “This year it should stay the way it is because imagine the chaos that would come out if Henrik Stenson was being picked! 

“For the future I think the fans want to see the best players competing and that would be my way forward.”

McDowell hopeful of Ryder Cup return

McDowell, another man to grab the winning point in the Ryder Cup as he completed the 2010 success at Celtic Manor, agrees with Kaymer about the best players qualifying regardless of where they play.

And although he's not playing well enough right now, he thinks he could play his way back into future Ryder Cups.

"I’m not playing well enough to be considered for the 12 places," said McDowell. "Do I believe I can play in the future? Yes, I believe I’m good enough to be out there. 

"Would I like to be in Rome to help Luke Donald out? Of course I would love to be there. There’s too much water under the bridge regarding the prep which Luke and his backroom staff have done and we wish them well. 

"Do I think there are any players on LIV good enough to play on the European Ryder Cup team? Yes, I do think there are a couple of guys and we’ll have to see how it all shakes out. 

"I think it should be the 12 best European players against the 12 best US players. In the end, it doesn’t matter where they play.”

On June 6 the golfing world was knocked even further sideways by the announcement that the PGA Tour was creating a new entity with the DP World Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund. 

The detail of this is scarce, with seemingly even the players left in the dark as to how this might play out, and one of the big talking points is what this now holds for the future of the LIV Golf League.

When asked at the original press conference in the first week of June the PGA Tour's commissioner Jay Monahan vaguely replied: "We're in a framework agreement. I don't want to make any statements or make any predictions. But what is in place is a commitment to make a good-faith effort to look at team golf and the role it can play going forward."

This week the LIV Golf League is at Valderrama and Ian Poulter, when asked by Telegraph Sport about the future, was buoyant over what's to come. 

"I am looking forward to all the servings of humble pie and it will not be us LIV guys doing the backtracking," Poulter said.

Martin Kaymer, captain of Cleeks GC, also believes that the breakaway circuit if here to stay.

"If I was PIF, for example, and I create this baby and that baby becomes an adult and a success, why would I get rid of it? I don’t understand. This is just my common thinking with the knowledge I have. I don’t know what the plan is, but I have difficulties believing LIV will go away in the next few years. I just don’t see any reason why it should."

Graeme McDowell, a one-time Ryder Cup team-mate and now a member of Kaymer's Cleeks quartet, added that it would be pointless putting all these millions into LIV only to see it now fade away.

"We don’t think that is going to happen, there is too much value. This is a product and real thing and it has a very compelling nature and we think the fans want this."

As to how it will actually play out then, while this is the biggest head scratcher in terms of fitting all the tours into the schedule jigsaw, there will be a seat at the table for LIV.

"I believe that the team/franchise model/LIV model, I think there is a place for it. There’s 48 guys that believe deeply in the idea of teams," McDowell added. “You’ve got South African teams, Australian teams, American, European. We believe in the value of that and we believe there is a place in the game of golf for that right now. 

"What does that look like though? There’s all these puzzle pieces in the game, Majors, which is the most important, you’ve got the LIV Tour, PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, you’ve got all of these pieces that need to fit together in one cohesive golfing environment where the fan gets to see the biggest players in the world more often."

If LIV does continue then what of its CEO Greg Norman? He has spoken privately of having the schedule for the 2024 season almost wrapped up and he was pictured this week in Spain in a buggy with the PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

His old adversary Sir Nick Faldo is on hosting duties at The Belfry this week and he had a different point of view, saying that he didn't see LIV surviving.

"I don't think so, because nobody's really interested. They're not going to get the sponsorship that they want. They call it a team (event) and it's not because it's strokeplay. You see your mates on the putting green and say 'play well' and you see them in the scorers tent and say 'What did you shoot?' That's it. A team is out there helping, shoulder to shoulder. That's a true team."

LIV Golf player Graeme McDowell believes he has a future in the Ryder Cup despite admitting his form is not good enough to be considered for Luke Donald’s team in this year’s tournament at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

McDowell’s optimism over the potential for inclusion in future editions of the biennial tournament has been renewed following the merger that saw the PGA Tour and DP World Tour join forces with the Saudi Public Investment Fund that finances LIV Golf.

Nevertheless, the 2010 US Open champion, who will play for LIV Golf in this week’s tournament at Valderrama, admitted this year’s event will come too soon for him, although he could take part in the future. He said: “I’m not playing well enough to be considered for the 12 places.

“Do I believe I can play in the future? Yes, I believe I’m good enough to be out there. Would I like to be in Rome to help Luke Donald out? Of course I would love to be there, I love everything there is about the European Ryder Cup team.”

Aside from McDowell’s recent form, which finds him 38th in the LIV Golf standings, he also thinks it will be tricky for Donald to select its players for September’s tournament from a practical standpoint.

He continued: “There’s too much water under the bridge regarding the prep which Luke and his backroom staff have done and we wish them well. I fully expect that we won’t have anything to do with it, unfortunately.”

Despite that, the Northern Irishman, who has played for Team Europe four times, is convinced there are some LIV Golf players who could yet give Donald something to think about before he finalises his 12-man team. He said: “Do I think there are any players on LIV good enough to play on the European Ryder Cup team? Yes, I do think there are a couple of guys and we’ll have to see how it all shakes out.”

In particular, McDowell sees July’s Open at Royal Liverpool as a potential shop window for a LIV Golf player to demonstrate his worth to the Team Europe captain, even if that won’t be either Lee Westwood or Ian Poulter, after they opted to skip final qualifying fo the Major. He said: “If someone goes and blows it up at The Open who is a European LIV player then that will throw the cat amongst the pigeons. “

In general, though, McDowell is in favour of the European Ryder Cup team comprising players who have been picked on merit rather than overlooking some because they play for LIV Golf. He explained: “I hope Europe wins the Ryder Cup. Aside from that, what that 12 looks like, we’ll see, but I think it should be the 12 best European players against the 12 best US players. In the end, it doesn’t matter where they play.”

Donald will select his six Captain’s Picks for the tournament after the conclusion of Ryder Cup qualifying on 3 September.

The 2023 Open will see 156 players tee it up at Royal Liverpool. However, that number will not include LIV Golf player Lee Westwood.

That’s because he has opted against taking part in next week’s final qualifying for the Major, which would have represented his last chance to appear.

The 50-year-old has an enviable record in the tournament. Even though he has never won it, he has achieved six top-10 finishes including runner-up in 2010. Westwood has also not missed The Open since 1995.

Final qualifying comes during a busy period for the Englishman, with the LIV Golf League resuming at Valderrama in Spain this week after a month-long break.

The circuit then moves to the Centurion Club near London for the ninth tournament of the season the week after, with final qualifying for The Open taking place between the two events next Tuesday at four venues around the UK.

Westwood isn’t the only LIV Golf player who has opted against one final attempt to reach the tournament. His Majesticks GC teammate Ian Poulter has also chosen not to compete in final qualifying. That’s despite his earlier effort to reach the tournament with a trip to Hong Kong in March to play in the World City Championship, which offered four qualifying berths.

Despite making the cut, the 2008 Open runner-up finished seven shots back of the top four finish he needed to qualify for this year’s tournament.

One LIV Golf player who hasn’t given up is Sergio Garcia. The Spaniard will go through the gruelling 36-hole qualifier at West Lancashire as he attempts to make his 25th successive appearance at the tournament. The 43-year-old had enjoyed an exemption to the tournament thanks to his 2017 Masters victory, but that ran out last year.

Like Westwood, Poulter and many other LIV Golf players, qualifying for Majors has become increasingly difficult for Garcia as he has fallen down the Official World Golf Rankings, with LIV Golf unable to offer world ranking points.

Garcia has previously demonstrated his willingness to take whatever opportunity he can to qualify for Majors, though. In May, he opted for a similar route to reach the US Open, making it through a stacked field in final qualifying to reach his 24th consecutive appearance at the tournament.

While we await Garcia’s progress, Westwood’s absence will be felt particularly keenly. As well as his solid performances in the Major over the years, this will be the first time he has missed out since 1995. It is also just four years since he finished tied for fourth at Royal Portrush.

Despite Westwood and Poulter's decision not to compete in final qualifying, there are plenty of other LIV Golf players who will, including Graeme McDowell, Cameron Tringale, Dean Burmester, Carlos Ortiz, Peter Uihlein, Charl Schwartzel, Mito Pereira, Jason Kokrak, Sebastian Munoz, Anirban Lahiri, Marc Leishmann and Matt Jones.

Elsewhere, PGA Championship hero Michael Block will also use final qualifying to try and reach the tournament for the first time. 

Ian Poulter says it's been an "incredible" experience watching LIV Golf's "remarkable" growth over the last 12 months.

Centurion hosted the first ever LIV Golf event last year, as one of eight events in the inaugural season of Greg Norman's new golf tour, which has expended to 14 events in the 2023 LIV Golf League season.

And with a return to Centurion coming up in a couple of weeks, Poulter - who admits he was "diving into the unknown" when signing up - says the progression has been remarkable in such a short space of time.

“Thinking where we started from to now it’s pretty remarkable,” Poulter told Wales Online.

“It was diving into the unknown. It was a completely new atmosphere, a completely new product.

“As the product has grown, you can see the vision behind it. We’ve achieved a lot in those 12 months collectively as a group of players and as a group of people behind LIV to create a new product for a younger audience, a slightly different demographic, and an international product.

“It’s exciting, so being nervous in the first one was understandable, but now it’s a very different feeling.”

There's been a monumental shift in the golfing landscape since LIV Golf launched, as the PGA Tour shocked the world by agreeing a deal with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) - who have bankrolled LIV Golf's introduction.

One of the big questions of the deal as it's fleshed out by Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan is the future of LIV Golf, but Norman reportedly told LIV Golf employees that it's business as usual.

With Poulter's own team Majesticks GC signing a deal with one of his sponsors, indicating that they are certainly planning for the future, the 47-year-old is keen to point out the virtues of LIV Golf, as showcased by their successful trip to Australia. 

“You go from looking at the vision to tasting it and feeling it and living it and growing with it and the experience has been incredible," Poulter added.

“You look back to Adelaide as a showcase event and what LIV Golf can do for an area. Adelaide is one that hasn’t had its fair share of events but look at what LIV Adelaide did to the region.

"From a perspective of bringing in 75,000 fans, new sponsors, a hole in one, crazy atmosphere, a great concert.

“As a concept for us to participate in, it was exciting and refreshing to see fans enjoying themselves."

The LIV Golf League is in Spain at Valderrama next week before returning to where it all began at Centurion at the start of July.

With 100 days to go the run-up to the Ryder Cup has well and truly begun, with now players starting to establish themselves in the points standings and as possible captains picks, but who will likely make their debuts in Rome?

Both European captain Luke Donald and Team USA skipper Zach Johnson have plenty of freedom in their teams, with just six players qualifying on each team leaving them with six wildcards each to select.

LIV Golf is making a big impact in different ways, with Team Europe stalwarts like Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood out of the picture but Brooks Koepka looks like an automatic qualifier for the US while the likes of Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau are all eligible for selection. The US will be missing current World No.11, Will Zalatoris, though, who is sidelined after back surgery.

Who will be the rookies making their big Ryder Cup debuts though? Based on the current world rankings, we take a look at six contenders for Team USA and Europe...

Possible Team USA Ryder Cup rookies

Wyndham Clark

It’s not always as simple as win a Major, get in the Ryder Cup team, but if there was any doubt then the way Clark won the US Open means even if he somehow doesn’t qualify Johnson will hand him a pick. He was cool, calm and collected under the most intense pressure, and having never even made the cut at the US Open before. 

Holding off Rory McIlroy down the stretch, he showed clear thinking and a wonderful short game when it really mattered. His putting was magnificent and that’s always crucial in Ryder Cups.

Max Homa

He’s still got those Major question marks after drawing another blank on home turf at the US Open, but he’s won six times on the PGA Tour and has got all kinds of game that make him a walk-on to this USA team surely?

Homa was impressive in last year’s Presidents Cup with a perfect 4-0-0 record which will take him a long way, and he’d also be great guy to have around the team room.

Sam Burns

Burns is not the first name on everyone’s lips, but he has been a top 10 player in the world with five PGA Tour wins under his belt – with his latest being the most crucial with it coming in the WGC-Match Play.

His one Presidents Cup appearance didn’t go to plan, but beating Patrick Cantlay, Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young in the gruelling Match Play in Texas will stand him in good stead.

Cameron Young

Speaking of Cameron Young, he was the overwhelming winner of the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award last year where he produced some stellar performances despite not banking a win. He saved his best for the Majors with a runner-up spot at the Open at St Andrews and a T3 at the PGA Championship last year, followed by a T7 at the 2023 Masters.

He won 1.5 points at the Presidents Cup and making the Match Play final in Austin will make Johnson comfortable with selecting him as a pick if he chooses.

Kurt Kitayama

A two-time DP World Tour winner, Kitayama’s crowning glory was his maiden PGA Tour success at the Arnold Palmer Invitational this year when he recovered from a final-round triple bogey to make a late birdie and win by one at Bay Hill from Harris English and Rory McIlroy.

That took guts and, along with a quarter-final at the Match Play and T4 at the PGA Championship, will be used to back-up his case for inclusion.

Sahith Theegala

The former college standout could be a bit of a wildcard selection but he’s a hugely popular figure with a dashing game and some decent results even this early in his career – including a top 10 finish on his Masters debut this year.

He led the PGA Tour in birdies last season thanks to his attacking game and he’d certainly bring some entertainment value to the Ryder Cup if selected.

Possible Team Europe Ryder Cup rookies

Sepp Straka

Aiming to follow Bernd Wiesberger as just the second Austrian to play in the Ryder Cup, Straka is the first from his country to win on the PGA Tour after claiming the 2022 Honda Classic.

He was up there challenging at the PGA Championship when finishing T7 so has some big event experience under his belt, which could stand him in good stead if he’s part of Donald’s team.

Seamus Power

Also a regular on the PGA Tour, Irishman Power has two wins on the US circuit with the last coming at the start of the wraparound season in October. He showed brilliant consistency with six straight top 15 finishes, including two top fives and big performances in Phoenix and Riviera. 

He’s had no joy in the Majors yet but a top 20 at Quail Hollow showed he does have big-game mentality – but he’ll need a few more eye-catching displays to get the nod against the likes of Straka.

Victor Perez

The Edinburgh-based Frenchman is vying with Yannick Paul and Adrian Meronk for the third qualifying spot on the European points list, and has some good form in two Italian Open appearances on the Ryder Cup course to back-up his claims if he needs a pick.

Winning in Abu Dhabi gave his year a huge boost to start with, but he'll need a couple more big displays to force Donald's hand.

Yannik Paul

Yannik Paul is looking to become the third German to play in the Ryder Cup and is the man in possession of a qualifying spot after a win in Mallorca last October followed by some consistent performances including two runners-up spots and a third.

Given the quality around him and the veteran players on the world points list you’d think Paul probably needs to qualify automatically to make it to Rome.

Pablo Larrazabal

The Spanish have a proud tradition in the Ryder Cup and Donald may aim to partner Jon Rahm up with compatriot Larrazabal, who would be making his debut aged 40 if he can get into the team.

He’s not in the qualifying spots, but with two tournament wins this year, taking his DP World Tour total to nine, and cracking the top 50 in the world for the first time he’s certainly got some decent credentials.

Adrian Meronk

The first Polish player to qualify for the Open and first to win on the DP World Tour, Meronk got inside the top 50 in the world and having the latest of his three wins (all national opens) coming at the same Marco Simone course staging the Ryder Cup must be a huge asset for him in Donald’s thinking.

On Thursday, it was revealed that both Lee Westwood and Richard Bland would be unable to make their debut appearances in the senior ranks, specifically at The Senior Open, with it being reported that both have had their applications turned down by The Senior Open Championship Committee Board.

Although Westwood is yet to comment, Bland has taken to social media to voice his disdain at the decision, with the Englishman posting a screenshot of the email to his Instagram account. 

Bland, who was one of the players to give up his membership of the DP World Tour after various fines and sanctions were handed out following February's arbitration results announcement, also included the caption "and there's me thinking things had changed", with the Englishman eligible for the tournament after turning 50 in February.

Along with Bland, Westwood will also not feature in the event at Royal Porthcawl in July, despite the fact that, back in November, he revealed that he had been reportedly offered the chance to compete on the Legends Tour (formerly known as the European Senior Tour).

Westwood, who turned 50 back in April, would have been one of the star-attractions in Wales but, on Thursday, both received an email which read: "The committee has considered your application and is not willing to approve it, because you have outstanding fines imposed on you for breaching its conflicting tournament regulations. 

"You will therefore be removed from the entry list and your entry fee will be refunded with immediate effect. We would remind you of the entry deadline of 12 noon (UK time) on 6 July 2023 should you intend to settle your outstanding fines and wish to re-enter by this deadline."

Following the news of the merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF, Keith Pelley, the DP World Tour CEO, made it clear that those who want to re-join the Tour must pay their fines first. However, these fines reportedly go into the hundreds of thousands with those players also needing to serve bans prior to that.

In Westwood's case, as the tweet below shows, he has no interest in re-joining the DP World Tour, with the 50-year-old stating on Twitter: "... Should I ever wish to join the @DPWorldTour again. Which I don’t , so I don’t have any outstanding fines. I’m not sure which fines the email relates to? It’s puzzling."

Like Bland, Westwood has also given up his membership and, consequently, that would be where the problem lies, as The Senior Open Championship is 50% owned by the DP World Tour. Because of the ownership, it's unlikely that we will see the English duo in the tournament, not until they settle their fines and re-join the DP World Tour, something which is unlikely to happen given the recent circumstances.

Padraig Harrington thinks LIV Golf players should be allowed to play for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup in the wake of the deal between the DP World Tour, PGA Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Harrington, who captained Team Europe at Whistling Straits in 2021, told The Telegraph: “I think the Ryder Cup is going to have the LIV players back. Luke’s got to pick his best team at the end of the day. Absolutely. Wherever Luke can get his best team out there he should do that.“

The chances of European LIV golfers making the team had seemed almost non-existent following the DP World Tour’s victory in its legal battle against the players and the resignations of several from the Tour, including all-time record Ryder Cup points scorer Sergio Garcia.

However, the deal that shook the golf world earlier in the week may have reopened the door to the likes of Garcia, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson to compete at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in the biennial tournament after all.

That would require rule changes, in particular to those who had resigned, but Harrington doesn’t think it should be an obstacle. He continued: “I know the rules have to change but rules have been changed before. The whole idea of this new [agreement] is, look, let’s not do any harm or damage to anybody in this situation. What I’m suggesting is everybody’s given a kind of clean slate.”

Harrington also insisted some LIV Golf players would be worthy of selection. He said: “The [LIV players] definitely warrant consideration. They’re good players. I don’t know if they’re going to be selected in the top 12 players at this stage. But to suggest that there aren’t players capable of being Ryder Cup players over at LIV would be silly.”

One potential issue could be the rifts that had been opened as a result of players joining the circuit, most notably between former best friends Garcia and PGA Tour stalwart Rory McIlroy.

Again, though, Harrington doesn’t think it’s insurmountable. The Irishman has not always seen eye to eye with Garcia, either, and said: “For a week, you know, you get over it. Myself and Sergio used to hug at the Ryder Cup. When you are playing you get over these things. You work through it. You’d be surprised when you get in a team [environment] a bit of tension does help. You want a bit of drive in there.”

Garcia, Westwood and Poulter would likely be future captain material were it not for their moves to LIV Golf. Their resignations from the DP World Tour appeared to end any lingering hopes they had of taking on the role. However, Harrington thinks that has all changed with the announcement of the historic deal.

He said: “Absolutely I think it opens up again down the road. I think this opens it all back up. The next captain is not decided in any shape or form. But there did seem like a nice roll of captains going forward.”

A few weeks ago we seemed to have finally made peace with the fact that the European heroes from the past couple of decades would no longer be part of proceedings at Marco Simone in Italy.

Part of this was fairly flattering to the likes of Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter but they’ve been part of the competition's furniture for so long that many have struggled to let go of the prospect of a European team without the pair of them.

A sounder reality check is that Westwood is now 50 and has a best finish of 20th (in a field of 48) in seven starts this year. For Poulter, now 47, it’s been a similar tale of mediocrity with The Postman failing to deliver all season other than a 12th-place finish at Mayakoba in February.

Elsewhere Paul Casey, Graeme McDowell and the short-lived captain for these matches, Henrik Stenson, have failed to register much of note. Thomas Pieters joined LIV in February and is yet to post a top-15 finish in six starts and, should that form continue, it would be a long shot from Donald to choose him should things be relaxed.

But where things become interesting, for Europe at least, is the whereabouts in late September of Sergio Garcia.

The competition’s record points scorer is no longer a member of the DP World Tour which, by the letter of the law, means that he can’t be part of Luke Donald’s side. Something which Rory McIlroy, who has reportedly fallen out with the Spaniard over the past year’s disintegration of the game at the highest level, pointed out in his press conference in Canada this week. 

According to McIlroy, if you’re not a member, then you’re not coming in.

“I don't think it changes. The ruling in that arbitration court was upheld that the European Tour can uphold the rules and regulations and sanction people for leaving the Tour, for harming the Tour. And again, I think it's a moot point, because all those guys have resigned their membership. If you're not a member of the European Tour you can't play the Ryder Cup. So to me it's a moot point.”

In a statement to the players from the DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley it reads: "Similar assumptions have been made that European players who have resigned from the Tour will now be able to be part of this year's Ryder Cup. Once again, it is not that straightforward.

"There are only two criteria for being a member of the European Ryder Cup team, namely: (1) you are European and (2) you are a member of the DP World Tour. To meet the second criterion, they would have to ask for reinstatement and there would have to be exceptional circumstance to allow it. I stress again, it would be difficult and highly unlikely that that would happen."

So not impossible. After the past 12 months the 'highly unlikely' possibility of a turnaround here would fade into relative inconsequence given what else is going on.

Come September the golfing kaleidoscope is going to look very different. Brooks Koepka will be part of the US team and he might well be joined by other LIV stars, like Dustin Johnson who went 5-0-0 in 2021. Aside from their skills they’ll arrive with little personal baggage in terms of personalities and Zach Johnson’s side will be further bolstered as they go about winning on European soil for the first time in 30 years.

In these most ludicrous of golfing times, and in light of what has happened this week, it would be faintly ridiculous for one captain to be able to have a full deck to choose from while Europe, the underdogs, would be limited.

The rules and regulations might say a lot of things but you might easily argue that they can all be thrown out the window when it now comes to the Ryder Cup. This is day two of this new era and already the noises coming out of everyone's mouths are beginning to sound very different. 

It might not be a merger as such but Garcia’s new bosses now sit under the PGA Tour umbrella and, while it’s a PGA-run event, he will almost certainly, you would have to think, be available for selection.

Unlike Koepka and Johnson the Spaniard is a different beast and his behaviour has been, at best, erratic over the past year. He was part of the first LIV event at Centurion and he’s repeatedly played the victim, something that he excels at.

But there have been patches of form and his record, and impact during a Ryder Cup week, would make it a no-brainer to include him. We might not see him paired with McIlroy in the opening exchanges on Friday morning but we know who he’ll play with and one thing that Donald is lacking in after the demolition at Whistling Straits are partnerships.

Matt Fitzpatrick spoke earlier in the year about the possibility of Garcia being part of the team in Rome.

"I think there definitely are a few personal relationships that have been dented by this [the LIV vs PGA Tour civil war]. I'm not bothered, I just want to win, and I'm sure those boys do too. Sergio would be the one that would stand out for me, particularly," Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports. "I don't know the details of [his relationship with McIlroy]. I'm happy to share a room with him, if that's going to be the case, I can corner him off for everyone else."

Then there’s Jon Rahm, who will fall in straight alongside his compatriot, and he, like his American opposition, just wants the best of Europe to feature.

"We had a great partnership at Whistling Straights. A Spanish duo in the Ryder Cup I think to me is embedded into the roots of the Ryder Cup. Look with Seve and Ollie were able to do throughout their partnership, right. So it's a little sad to me that politics have gotten in the way of such a beautiful event," Rahm said. 

“It's the best Europeans against the best American, period. And whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV to me shouldn't matter. It's whoever is best suited to represent the European side. And I have a hard time to believe that the best player Europe has ever had, the most successful player Europe has had on the Ryder Cup isn't fit to be on the team.”

For years Donald and Garcia have been bosom buddies and it would have seemed unthinkable that one wouldn’t play for the other. With six captain’s pick the unthinkable is now all of a sudden, more likely, that Donald won't use one of them for his old mate.

The conversation about whether LIV golfers should play in the Ryder Cup has been a big talking point since Brooks Koepka's PGA Championship victory in May and, following the news that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Public Investment Fund will merge, that topic has somewhat sprung up again.

Rory McIlroy, who spoke in a press conference at the Canadian Open on Wednesday, following the merger news, was asked just that very question and, in typical McIlroy fashion, his answer was somewhat straight, with the four-time Major winner calling it a "moot point."

Back in April, the DP World Tour won a hearing against LIV Golf players. Following the Sports Resolutions arbitration hearing result, multiple players from the DP World Tour resigned their memberships to avoid further fines and sanctions. The resignations included the likes of Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia, who will now not be able to ever serve as either Team Europe's captain or vice captains.

Since the merger was announced, it is still unclear as to whether these rules may change but, speaking at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, McIlroy stated: "I don't think it changes," in regard to the ruling that players must be members of the DP World Tour to qualify for the European Ryder Cup side.

"The ruling in that arbitration court meant that the European Tour can uphold the rules and regulations and sanction people for leaving the Tour, for harming the Tour," McIlroy explained. "Again, I think it's a moot point, because all those guys have resigned their membership. If you're not a member of the European Tour you can't play the Ryder Cup. So to me it's a moot point."

Although European LIV players can't play in the Ryder Cup, it is a different story over the pond, with American LIV players still able to qualify for their team, albeit in a slim number of ways.

Players earn one point for every $1,000 made in a PGA Tour event and two points per $1,000 won at Majors, with the top six players in the standings after the BMW Championship in August then automatically qualifying for Team USA. Currently, Koepka sits in second, following a runner-up finish at the Masters, and a victory at the PGA Championship.

The Ryder Cup gets underway at Marco Simone Country Club at the end of September, with even McIlroy himself believing that Koepka "deserves" a spot on the USA team. Along with McIlroy, Brad Faxon has also argued that the LIV golfer should be featuring in Zach Johnson's side.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has written to the Tour's Members to announce the ground-breaking unification of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, while confirming that the announcement would bring an end to all pending litigation between the participating entities. 

He also stated that the organisations would work together to find a 'fair and objective' process that would enable players to re-apply for membership with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. 

It comes as earlier this year the PGA Tour had taken wide-reaching steps to ban players who choose to play on any event that is not authorised by the Tour. 

Meanwhile, the DP World Tour also won an arbitration hearing in April that gave it precedent to fine members who chose to play in unauthorised events, which ultimately led to the resignations of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter.

But following today's historic announcement, these players may now be able to play again on both the PGA and DP World Tours. 

After a year of controversy has surrounded the sport, Monahan said: "Today is a momentous day for the organization and the game of golf as a whole," before confirming the merger. 

The Commissioner wrote: "Through a framework agreement the Public Investment Fund (PIF) is contributing its golf-related commercial businesses and rights, along with significant financial investment, toward minority equity ownership of a new, collectively held, for-profit LLC."

While the full arrangements of the collaboration are still to be confirmed, Monahan told the players that the PGA Tour would "retain an administrative oversight over the Tour and sanctioning events, administration of competition and rules," and also said he would be staying on as Commissioner. 

"There is much work to do to get us from a framework agreement to a definitive agreement," he said. "But one thing is obvious: throughout this transformational agreement and with PIF's collaborative investment, the immeasurable strength of the PGA Tour's history, legacy and pro-competitive model not only remains intact, but is super charged for the future. 

"Our game our players and our fans will no doubt benefit for years to come."

He outlined several key details for the Tour's members, noting in particular that any ongoing litigation between the entities would now cease. 

"Notably, today's announcement brings about an end to all pending litigation between the participating entities and prohibits any further recruitment of PGA Tour, DPWorld Tour or LIV Golf members," the commissioner wrote. 

"We will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of LIV Golf and determine how best to integrate team golf into the professional game. The 2023 LIV Golf schedule will continue as planned. 

"We will work cooperatively to establish a fair and objective process for any players who desire to re-apply for membership with the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour following the completion of the 2023 season, consistent with each tour's policies. This is a complicated endeavour and one that will be guided by established PGA Tour rules and regulations."

In addition, he also confirmed: "PIF will make a financial investment to become a premier corporate sponsor of the PGA Tour (and DP World Tour and other international tours). 

"PIF will make an additional investment to the new entity that will allow us to build an even stronger and more robust commercial business together. PIF is committed to significant financial support toward causes that positively impact the game on a global basis." 

The letter stated that PIF governor and Newcastle United Football Club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan will be joining the PGA Tour Policy board. 

Monahan confirmed that both he and Al-Rumayyan would be appointed to the new entity's Executive Committee, along with Ed Herlihy, the PGA Tour's current Policy Board Chairman, while also stating that "The PGA Tour will appoint a majority of the Board and hold a majority voting interest in the combined entity."

A players meeting will be held at 4 pm (ET) on Tuesday at the RBC Canadian Open, with Monahan inviting all recipients of the letter to attend. 

The Ryder Cup may still be four months off, but talk of who will make the teams is hotting up, especially with qualification for the biennial contest having been affected by a number of players defecting to LIV Golf.

The United States proved too strong for Padraig Harrington’s men at Whistling Straits two years ago, after which discussions soon began about whether Europe would be better off with a younger team and fresh faces for this year's battle in Rome, which begins on September 29. 

At that time, there was no reason to think the qualification procedure would be different to any other year, but this was pre LIV Golf, and the emergence of the new circuit has put an end to some players’ Ryder Cup careers.

TEAM USA QUALIFICATION

Zach Johnson, the US team captain, is currently in a position to pick LIV players, which includes recent PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka, as well as Major champions Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson.

Koepka joined LIV last summer and, like his fellow LIV competitors, it’s meant that he has been unable to play in PGA Tour events. However, he remains a member of the PGA of America, and the Majors offer such players from the Saudi-backed circuit the opportunity to earn qualification points.

"If you go second, first, first, first, it would be kind of tough not to (get a) pick, right?" said Koepka, whose fifth Major Championship victory catapulted the former world number one into second on the US Ryder Cup qualification standings.

"If you go handle business, I feel like I should be fine. I just play my best and see what happens from there, but I would love to play for him [Zach Johnson]."

Players earn one point for every $1,000 made in a PGA Tour event and two points per $1,000 won at Majors, with the top six players in the standings after the BMW Championship in August then automatically qualifying for Team USA.

It means Koepka – who also tied for second at The Masters in April – and his LIV colleagues will only have two more events in which to accumulate points, the US Open in June and The Open at Royal Liverpool in July. Johnson is then scheduled to name six captain's picks after the Tour Championship (August 24-27).

European Qualification

The qualification campaign for Europe began last autumn and runs through until this September, when three automatic qualifiers from the European Points List and the same number from the World Points List joining six captain's picks to make up Luke Donald's team.

The selection process for the skipper was made a little clearer when a number of European players resigned from the DP World Tour last month, which immediately made them ineligible to pull on the blue and gold colors and represent the team.

Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter, all Ryder Cup stalwarts, will not be playing for Donald at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club this coming September, having made the decision to quit the DP World Tour.

Henrik Stenson also resigned, but the Swede waved goodbye to his chances of being involved in the Ryder Cup when he joined LIV Golf last year, after which he was removed as Europe's captain. 

However, there is still a possibility that Donald could have LIV players on his team, as not everyone has walked away from the DP World Tour. With limited access to world ranking events, though, it’s looking very unlikely that anyone would grab an automatic spot.

That leaves the question of captain’s picks. Could Donald be tempted to go for a Paul Casey or Thomas Pieters, both still DP World Tour members? Johnson, too, is likely to face a similar kind of dilemma with his picks. 

All will be revealed in the coming months. 

Rory McIlroy thinks LIV Golf player Brooks Koepka deserves to be in the Ryder Cup, but European players who play in LIV shouldn't be considered.

The American has been in imperious form in recent weeks. After finishing joint runner-up at the Masters, he followed that performance with victory in the second Major of the year, the PGA Championship at Oak Hill. That has left him with an excellent chance of automatic qualification for Team USA in the tournament at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.

McIlroy, who will appear in this week’s designated event on the PGA Tour, The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, admitted Koepka’s form offers a compelling reason for his inclusion in the biennial tournament.

He said: “I mean, I certainly think Brooks deserves to be on the United States team. I think with how he's played, I mean, he's second in the US standings, only played two counting events. I don't know if there's anyone else on the, you know, on the LIV roster that would make the team on merit and how they're playing. But Brooks is definitely a guy that I think deserves to be on the US team."

However, McIlroy doesn’t think LIV Golf players who would otherwise be eligible for Luke Donald’s Team Europe should play. Crucially, the DP World Tour won a legal battle against LIV Golf players in April, and that appears to be a key reason why, according to the Northern Irishman, the likes of Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood shouldn't be considered.

He said: “I have different feelings about the European team and the other side and sort of how that has all transpired and, yeah, I don't think any of those guys should be a part of the European team."

Last week, Garcia revealed he had spoken to Donald, who had told him he had “no chance” of making the team. That was met with disappointment by World No.2 Jon Rahm, who expressed his sadness that "politics have gotten in the way" of the Ryder Cup.

Rahm, who is also playing in this week’s tournament, said: “It's the best Europeans against the best Americans, period. And whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV to me shouldn't matter. It's whoever is best suited to represent the European side. And I have a hard time to believe that the best player Europe has ever had, the most successful player Europe has had on the Ryder Cup isn't fit to be on the team.”

World No.3 McIlroy is a shoo-in for the tournament despite a recent dip in form. However, he achieved a tie for seventh at Oak Hill, suggesting he’s not too far away from his best, and the 34-year-old admitted he is looking forward to the challenge teeing it up at Jack’s Place. 

He said: “I haven't won it yet. I would love to be able to put my name on the trophy and walk up that hill and get that handshake from Jack. That would be pretty nice to do. So, yeah, I'm excited to be back, excited to get on a nice little run of golf here coming up over the next few weeks and, yeah, always good to be in Muirfield Village."

Ian Poulter has responded to Jon Rahm's support for Ryder Cup legend Sergio Garcia by saying the World No.2 is "the only person who gets it" as the European side looks to be without LIV Golfers.

"it’s just golf.. politics aside it’s just golf," Poulter wrote on Twitter in reply to a video of Rahm speaking ahead of the Memorial Tournament.

Rahm was passionate in voicing how he'll miss Sergio Garcia in Rome this year and remained adamant that Team Europe should be made up of the 12 best players regardless of which tour they play on.

“I'm going to miss him. We had a great partnership at Whistling Straits," Rahm said of his fellow Spaniard, who last week said that Luke Donald essentially told him he had no chance of making the team.

"I'm going to mention history again one more time. A Spanish duo in the Ryder Cup I think to me is embedded into the roots of the Ryder Cup. Look with Seve and Ollie were able to do throughout their partnership, right. So it's a little sad to me that politics have gotten in the way of such a beautiful event.

“It's the best Europeans against the best Americans, period. And whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV to me shouldn't matter. It's whoever is best suited to represent the European side.

"And I have a hard time to believe that the best player Europe has ever had, the most successful player Europe has had on the Ryder Cup isn't fit to be on the team.”

“I was excited about the possibility of playing with Jon again, and I know that Jon was also excited about that possibility, too," Garcia said last week. "Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen, at least for now.”

Garcia, Poulter, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson and Richard Bland have all resigned their DP World Tour memberships so will not be featuring in any future Ryder Cups as things stand. The resignations came after the DP World Tour won February's arbitration panel hearing against its members who played in LIV tournaments despite not having conflicting event releases signed off by the tour.

It means that the DP World Tour is able to fine and suspend players for going against declined releases, meaning that LIV players would face huge fines and suspensions for continuing to play on the Saudi-backed tour while remaining members of the European circuit.

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman and fellow players including Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Kevin Na were quick to congratulate the 2023 PGA Champion Brooks Koepka following his victory at Oak Hill.

The 33-year-old captured his third Wanamaker Trophy and fifth Major title in Rochester, New York, where he defeated new World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland by two strokes.

Koepka was congratulated across social media by various key figures and big names in the game, and the PGA Tour even awkwardly were forced to post about the player who they suspended after he joined rival LIV Golf last year.

Take a look at how social media reacted to Brooks Koepka's PGA Championship victory...

Koepka posted a final round of 67 (-3) to reach nine-under-par, beating World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and playing partner Viktor Hovland by two strokes.

It's his first Major title in four years and comes after he has been plagued by injuries. He described this one as the "sweetest".

"This is probably the sweetest one of them all because all the hard work that went into this one, this one is definitely special. This one is probably it for me," he said.

He moves up to 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

LIV Golf has reportedly sought out the services of Newcastle United director Amanda Staveley, the women behind the Saudi Arabian takeover at St James’ Park, to try and smooth over relations with the PGA Tour.

Staveley brokered not only the deal for Newcastle but also the Abu Dhabi takeover of Manchester City thanks to her connections to the mighty wealth of the Middle East.

Newcastle’s chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is also governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) that is bankrolling Greg Norman’s LIV Golf operation.

Now, the Daily Mail is reporting that thanks to her links to Al-Rumayyan, Staveley is seen as a possible peacemaker in the civil war that has caused this split in the game of golf.

Grabbing the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith, LIV Golf ploughed $2 billion into LIV Golf, but with that also came a number of lawsuits with the PGA Tour as animosity grew.

PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan banned the LIV golfers, while DP World Tour counterpart Keith Pelley fined his players, causing the likes of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter to resign.

There seems no end in sight, but many have now said that it would suit the interests of both parties to settle the differences sooner rather than later.

A US District Court judge has recently agreed to a PGA Tour request to force Al-Rumayyan to be subjected to discovery, which LIV have been vehemently against.

Legal dealings in the US could also open the door to problems for Newcastle United - with the PIF and Al-Rumayyan being described as sovereign possibly causing issues with Premier League ownership rules.

Problems for Newcastle could be another reason why Staveley would get involved in settling the animosity between the two factions - along with the PIF's desire not to have a US court and the PGA Tour’s lawyers dig too deeply into their finances.

Staveley was present at the inaugural LIV Golf draft in London last year, and was also reportedly at the Masters at Augusta last month. 

Zach Johnson largely sidestepped questions about whether he’d select any LIV Golf players for his USA Ryder Cup team this year, saying the decision is “not on my radar right now.”

A huge question hanging over Johnson is whether he would select LIV Golf players like Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed for the Ryder Cup.

Those playing for Greg Norman’s new tour, although eligible, would likely require a wildcard unless they produce some stellar showings in the Majors to make enough points and finish in the top six.

And while it seems unlikely a player like Reed or DeChambeau would be any good for the team room, Koepka and to a larger extent Johnson seem universally liked by the players still on the PGA Tour and could slip right in.

And while Luke Donald now has clarity with European stalwarts Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson resigning, Johnson is still facing those awkward questions.

Questions the Team USA captain largely sidestepped at the PGA Championship by insisting his wildcard picks were “not even a discussion item” right now, but did admit that the six automatic qualifiers will have their say, adding he’ll let “those guys that make it on merit help me formulate my team.”

The captain does seem open to LIV Golf players taking part, but hinted he’d not spoken to either his namesake Dustin Johnson or Koepka – and it seems they’ll find it hard to impress him unless it’s in the Majors.

“Really difficult for me to judge,” Johnson added. “I don't know the golf courses they're playing. Never seen them. I'm not there on foot in person.

“I get to see them, I guess, technically three or four weeks a year, this year. So that part is difficult, but you're talking about a number of guys that are my friends. I would fully embrace the opportunity to speak with them if they want to chat with me. That would be amazing.

“I'm an open book. They can call me. They have my number, et cetera, et cetera. I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm shutting that down. I am fully in as the Ryder Cup captain for the Team USA and whatever that looks like.

And on Dustin Johnson’s chances, he added: “You're talking about an individual whose resume is extremely deep and wide. He's certainly in my generation one of the best players I've ever competed against, but it's not fair for me to guess his true form or anybody's true form that I can't witness.”

He had a similar message for Koepka despite his Masters display: “He played really good that one week, but it's one week. I don't want to sit here and say that it's concrete, it's the only thing we're going to be looking at.

“It's one week, at a major venue, at the Masters tournament. He played great. There's still a lot of golf between now and then.”

LIV Golf stars have talked a lot about the positives of joining Greg Norman’s new golf tour, but the overriding factor of the financial rewards have been fully shown by the appearance of several in the latest rich list – even after big drops in sponsorship.

The likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau have been banned from the PGA Tour, while Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia have resigned from the DP World Tour after being fined for playing LIV Golf events.

While losing their Tour status and likely Ryder Cup futures has undoubtedly hurt their golfing legacies in some quarters, it could also have cost them financially with sponsors not wanting to be involved in such a divisive topic.

However, with the beauty of guaranteed payments and signing-on bonuses the Saudi-backed operation has paid out, overall the LIV Golf players are still getting richer quicker – as proven by several making it onto Forbes' Highest Paid Athletes list.

What’s more remarkable, and proves a point for many, is that some of the players who appear on the list have had very little on-course success, even in LIV Golf, but have still pocketed huge sums thanks to LIV’s signing bonuses.

So while off-course endorsements have gone down, LIV Golf stars are in the money, and none more so than Johnson who split from Adidas and RBC but made a huge $107m thanks to a whopping signing bonus.

Mickelson has lost some of the biggest sponsorship deals around, but as the face of LIV he’s made $106m despite just $2m coming from endorsements.

It is perhaps Sergio Garcia’s name next to a $46m total that raised the most eyebrows though, considering the Spaniard hasn’t won a tournament anywhere since October 2020.

Garcia did make a playoff for the LIV Golf event in Singapore recently but that’s as close as he has been to winning an individual title for some time.

Given his performances, the fact Garcia claimed $43m of his total in on-course earnings compared to World No.1 and fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm making $28m is perhaps the starkest contrast of the lot – and proves just what huge financial gains can be achieved by playing for LIV.

DeChambeau took home $68m for his on-course efforts yet he's also not exactly torn it up on the LIV Golf tour - but was of course a marquee signing.

Some will say that a criticism laid against LIV of rewarding mediocrity has been clearly shown in these figures – after all Mickelson even now still has a best finish of eighth in LIV in one of just four top 20 finishes in 13 events, yet has still been massively rewarded.

Mickelson did challenge at the Masters though and if he’s up there again on the PGA Championship leaderboard some will argue that less golf and more money is the ideal scenario.   

Of course, where this money is coming from and what LIV golf is doing in the world of golf are also factors in this continuing saga, but for those who “are just here to play golf” it seems the rewards are huge – no matter how you play or how many endorsement deals you lose.

The European Ryder Cup side has taken somewhat of a hit over the past month. After the DP World Tour won its February arbitration hearing against a number of its members who play in LIV Golf, many of those who joined the Saudi-backed circuit resigned their membership after fines and suspensions were issued.

Obviously, the news has affected Team Europe, with many legends of the Ryder Cup, like Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter not eligible to feature in either a playing or captaincy role. However, that's now by-the-by and, as current European Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, stated in a press conference at the PGA Championship, "ultimately, that was their decision."

Donald, who took over the role after Henrik Stenson joined the LIV circuit back in July 2022, spoke ahead of the second Major of the year, with the former World No.1 stating: "As I said a couple weeks ago, it's a shame that there were some resignations. A lot of these guys have built their legacy around the DP World Tour and their participation and everything with the Ryder Cup. Ultimately, that was their decision and, unfortunately they're off the table now for selection purposes for myself."

He went on to add: "As I said, I've always tried to concentrate on looking at all the players that week in, week out are committed to try and make that Ryder Cup and that hasn't changed. My situation is what it is. I've got to always take what I have in front of me and kind of go forward. I'm still excited about all the players we have on offer, both rookies and established players, and I think our team will be very good."

Along with Team Europe, Team USA have also lost a number of individuals to LIV, with the likes of Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau all leaving the PGA Tour to pursue their venture elsewhere. Although the PGA Tour has imposed sanctions on these players, they are, theoretically, available to qualify or get picked for the American side, something which Donald hasn't spoken about with opposition captain, Zach Johnson.

"I think in terms of what Zach is doing and his options, I think that's kind of his call," claimed Donald. "Whether LIV players play on his team, again, I haven't really talked to him much about it as a captains' agreement. Let's not forget there's still LIV players that can still play on my team. They're still eligible if they're members of the Tour and were born in Europe. That is still a possibility for some guys...

"To be honest, I think that the team selections should be pretty separate. I'm in charge of the European team and what's best for us, and he's in charge of the US Team and what's best for him. I think that's just how it should be."

Getting underway at the end of September, there is still plenty of golf to be played between now and the first tee shot at Marco Simone. However, one thing that Donald openly admitted is that there will likely be rookies on his team, with the 45-year-old explaining that "there's a lot of different factors that go into it, but we'll have to see what the makeup is," adding later, "I probably won't go into names, but I think it's always good to see how potential rookies do in Major championships."

Billy Foster says it's "incredibly sad" that the likes of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter will never captain Europe in the Ryder Cup after the trio opted to resign from the DP World Tour and effectively end their association with the biennial contest. 

A sports arbitrator ruled in favour of the DP World Tour against 12 LIV Golf players who appealed Keith Pelley's decision to issue fines and suspensions for teeing it up in the inaugural event on the breakaway circuit in June last year.

The three-person Sports Resolutions UK panel upheld the Tour's conflicting-event release regulation and Pelley's right to use it when appropriate to hand out future or retrospective sanctions.

Rather than risk further financial punishment, a number of LIV players quit what was formerly the European Tour, including Westwood, Poulter, Garcia and later Henrik Stenson, meaning none of them will ever be able to captain Team Europe, even if they do return to the Tour one day.

Foster, who caddies for Matt Fitzpatrick but enjoyed spells working for Westwood and Garcia previously, expressed his dismay at how the saga has unfolded.

"Something needs to be worked out. For me personally for what’s just happened - to Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter - I think it is incredibly sad," Foster said. "You can understand both opinions, I am not saying they should or they shouldn’t.

"I think it's an absolute travesty that those players, two of whom I caddied for, are not going to be Ryder Cup captains. I think that's incredibly sad for what they've done for the European tour and for what they've done over the years.

"I know people say they had a choice, they made their bed and they have to lie in it but they are in their late 40s and they’ve been offered an easier life for more money and less tournaments. 

"You can't blame them but they’ve still got a lot to give for the European Tour. So I think it's incredibly sad."

Westwood, an 11-time veteran of the Ryder Cup, hit out at Pelley after resigning his membership, saying he didn't "want to play under that sort of regime." Foster has been in contact with his former boss but didn't reveal any specifics of their conversation, although admits he can see both sides of the argument.

"I’ve been in communication with Lee last week. That will stay private but basically what I’ve just said. It is very sad it’s come to this. It’s wrong but that’s my opinion," he added.

"I totally get the other side of the opinion. I get it. But for me personally, for having grown up for 20-30 years, with these lads and seeing what they've done, to see it come to this is incredibly sad."

Billy Foster was speaking to BoyleSports about Golf Betting.

Bernard Gallacher fears the DP World Tour's strategic alliance with the PGA Tour could lead to it becoming an "upmarket Korn Ferry Tour."

The three-time Ryder Cup captain made the remark to The Telegraph’s Golf Correspondent James Corrigan. He said: “When I was on the board of the European Tour we always wanted to keep our independence and be able to make our own decisions. But we tried to find ways on to the PGA Tour for our best players.

“There were World Golf Championship events that our top guys could get entry to and if they played well enough in those and the Majors, they could win enough money to qualify for the PGA Tour. But it was only the top end of our players able to do that. But with 10 certain to get their PGA Tour cards now, my fear is that we become a sort of upmarket Korn Ferry Tour.”

Gallacher's comments echo those of LIV Golf player Lee Westwood, who described the DP World Tour as a feeder for the PGA Tour. Westwood was again in the news earlier this month when he resigned from the DP World Tour along with fellow Ryder Cup legends Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter. Henrik Stenson, who was stripped of the captaincy when he signed for LIV Golf, followed suit more recently saying the DP World Tour has "left me with no other choice" but to resign.

That means they can no longer become captains of future Ryder Cup teams and because of the situation, Gallacher, who led Team Europe three times in succession between 1991 and 1995, sees similar runs in the future, starting with Luke Donald. He said: “Because we’ve lost the likes of Westwood and co, I think we’ll need to have captains doing home and away matches, maybe starting with Luke now.”

The first three European Ryder Cup captains led the team for multiple tournaments before moving on. That hasn’t happened since 1995, but Gallacher thinks Donald would be up to the task. 

He said: “I know we’ve had so many big European names who have deserved their chance, but it doesn’t make sense just ditching successful captains after one go. The circumstances may now necessitate a change and in Luke we have a decent guy who will do all the preparation required and more."

Gallacher then turned his attention to the resignations of the players, and explained they have no room for complaint. “They must have known this was going to happen when they decided to sign up with LIV," explained Gallacher. "They’ve done it for money and that is understandable, but they can’t really moan because unless there was an agreement with LIV, this was inevitable. 

"And when the DP World Tour signed that ‘strategic alliance’ with the PGA Tour and effectively jumped into bed with them, any agreement was impossible.”

Finally, Gallacher explained that the inability of LIV Golf to award Official World Golf Ranking points would harm the Majors in the long run. He said: “LIV not getting any ranking points means there will be fewer of their guys in the Majors. 

"The Majors are getting away with it now, but as the exemptions run out, LIV’s presence will dwindle. And that will diminish the Majors because you won’t have the best players competing against each other. The Majors have to stay independent and devise other avenues for LIV golfers.”

First reported by The Guardian's Ewan Murray, it is believed that Porsche, who sponsor the European Open that gets underway in early June, may pull their backing from the tournament. This comes after it was announced by the DP World Tour that there would be sanctions imposed on LIV players which means they won't be featuring in any of their future tournaments.

Reportedly, it is the sanctions around Paul Casey, who is sponsored by the car manufacturer, and Martin Kaymer, one of Germany's most successful golfers, that have raised doubts over whether Porsche will continue backing the tournament in Hamburg, something they have done since 2015.

In the report by The Guardian, a spokesperson for Porsche stated that: “We heard about the individual sanctions of the Tour against players. But as those are individual we do not know, so far, what this means exactly to each player and are in contact with the Tour and the managements.” 

Along with the statement, the spokesperson went on to add that "the Porsche European Open is a great event. We are in discussions about the future of the event with the promoter and the Tour."

It's not just Casey and Kaymer who have been given sanctions, with the DP World Tour confirming that fines and suspensions have been issued to 26 players for going against conflicting event releases and playing in LIV Golf and LIV-backed Asian Tour events.

The fines are on a case-by-case basis and range from £25,000-£100,000 for each individual breach, the DP World Tour explains, with the suspensions reaching a maximum of eight tournaments, starting with the $2million Porsche European Open. 

Because of the sanctions being imposed, many players and legends of the circuit have given up their memberships, with Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood quitting recently, as well as former European Ryder Cup captain, Henrik Stenson, who stated that: "They left me with no other choice so I have resigned."