Poulter and Hatton Quit LIV Golf
England golfers Ian Poulter and Tyrrell Hatton have become the latest big names to leave LIV Golf, as the breakaway league tries to relaunch after filing for bankruptcy protection. Both players announced their departures on Friday, in a week that has seen a steady stream of exits from the troubled circuit.
Poulter, 50, said in a lengthy social media post that it had been a tough decision to call time on his LIV career. He said he would relish the chance to spend more time at home with his family, reduce international travel, focus on senior golf, and pursue other interests.
Hatton was far briefer. In a short Instagram post, he wrote that he would not be a part of LIV 2.0, thanked everyone for their continued support, and said he was excited for what the next chapter of his career holds.
Poulter Hatton Leave LIV Golf Amid Player Exodus
The Ryder Cup-winning duo made their announcements at the end of a week in which South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen said he intended to return to the DP World Tour next year. Fellow major champions Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia have already confirmed that their futures lie elsewhere.
LIV is attempting to relaunch in 2027 as LIV 2.0, with new money from BC Partners Capital, after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its support. The fund had poured five billion US dollars into the league over four years.
To relaunch, LIV has had to apply for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. As a result, it has had to cancel the contracts of all its existing players, in the hope that they will re-sign on new terms. Poulter and Hatton have made clear that they will not be among them.
New lead investor BC Partners Credit has pledged an initial funding commitment of up to 300 million dollars to help LIV relaunch in 2027. Even so, the league faces a hard line from the established tours.
The DP World Tour has confirmed that any player signing with the new-look LIV will be ineligible for membership, and therefore ruled out of Ryder Cup contention. That matters deeply to Poulter, whose finest days in golf came in the Ryder Cup, the team event against the United States.
No Regrets Over the Rebel Years
Poulter insisted he had no regrets about joining the rebel enterprise, which split professional golf down the middle when it launched. He said LIV Golf had divided opinion, but being part of the founding group that took world-class golf around the globe was something he would be forever proud of.
He added that change is never easy, and professional golf has seen plenty of it over the last few years. He said he had always believed that change can create opportunities and ultimately lead to positive outcomes.
Poulter’s exit, at 50, points towards senior golf and a quieter schedule. Hatton, still in his prime years, has left his next move open, saying only that he is excited for the next chapter.
The departures leave LIV 2.0 with a rebuilding task. The league must now persuade enough leading players to sign fresh deals, while the established tours hold firm on Ryder Cup eligibility. How many more names follow Poulter and Hatton out of the door will shape whether the 2027 relaunch can gain traction.
Why did Ian Poulter leave LIV Golf?
Poulter said it was a tough decision, and pointed to family time, less travel, senior golf, and other interests as reasons for stepping away.
What did Tyrrell Hatton say about LIV 2.0?
Hatton confirmed in a brief Instagram post that he will not be a part of LIV 2.0, and said he was excited for the next chapter of his career.
Can LIV players still play in the Ryder Cup?
No. The DP World Tour has confirmed that any player signing with the new-look LIV will be ineligible for membership, and therefore ruled out of Ryder Cup contention.
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