Ian Poulter On Ukraine Tribute - 'Thoughts And Prayers For The Families'

The Englishman wore the colours of the Ukraine flag during round one of the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Ian Poulter pictured at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Ian Poulter paid tribute to the people of Ukraine during the Arnold Palmer Invitational by wearing the colours of the country's flag amid the ongoing atrocities taking place there.

The Englishman said he feels for the people of Ukraine and admitted that "we just play a silly game of golf while others in the world are suffering."

"Yeah, I think it's hard, when you flick the news on right now and obviously you see the devastation that's going on around the world and you feel for the people in Ukraine, just wearing a similar colour today in respect to those suffering over there is the least I can do," Poulter said after his opening 68 at Bay Hill. "Just everyone's probably thinking of all those families that are affected right now.

"It's hard not to think of it, right? You wake up in the morning and you want to read the news, and you go home at night and you want to read the news. I've got quite a few clothes in the closet, so I found a couple of colours that I think would kind of give them a little bit of respect. Hopefully, just the thoughts and prayers for the families out there.

"It just seems like every time you think there's light at the end of the tunnel, something else comes along. It brings it into perspective pretty quickly. We just play a silly game of golf while others are in the world suffering."

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews.