Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter has change into the newest star identify to verify he’s quitting LIV Golf – leaving the breakaway tour's future trying more and more unsure.
The 50-year-old Englishman was amongst a plethora of stars lured by LIV when the Saudi Arabia-backed undertaking was launched in 2022 and was a staunch defender of the circuit when it was criticised.
However Poulter has adopted the likes of Jon Rahm, Louis Oosthuizen and Sergio Garcia in asserting his departure.
He has mentioned he needs to assist his two sons, Luke and Joshua, pursue skilled careers, in addition to develop his YouTube channel.
Saudi's Public Funding Fund withdrew its backing from LIV in April – having pumped in additional than $5bn (£3.8bn) of funding – resulting in the league submitting for chapter safety in the US final month.
It has secured a potential $300m (£224m) in financing from BC Companions Credit score to attempt to transfer ahead with 'LIV 2.0', however solely a handful of gamers have thus far dedicated to the proposed competitors in 2027.
"I wished everybody to listen to it direct from me that I’ve determined to not transfer ahead with being a part of LIV 2.0," Poulter wrote on his social media channels.
"For sure, it was a troublesome choice and one I considered and mentioned at size with my household and crew.
"In the end, the chance to spend extra time at residence with my household, scale back worldwide journey, deal with senior golf and have the chance to pursue different pursuits was one thing that I felt was proper for me at this stage of my life and profession."
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Former world quantity 5 Poulter was co-captain of the Majesticks crew alongside fellow Englishman and Ryder Cup icon Lee Westwood. Westwood's future plans stay unclear.
Poulter's choice to go away is available in the identical week as 2010 Open champion Oosthuizen, who captained the Southern Guards GC crew and mentioned quitting was the "hardest choice" of his profession.
Final week, two-time main winner Rahm gave up a reported £75m owed to him by LIV after reaching a separation settlement.
Garcia, Thomas Pieters, Abraham Ancer, David Puig and Adrian Meronk have additionally introduced their departures.
LIV's future might hinge on whether or not it might safe the signature of American famous person Bryson DeChambeau, who ESPN reported earlier this week "stays dedicated" to the league.
In his assertion, Poulter acknowledged LIV has "clearly divided opinion", however mentioned he can be "without end proud" to be a part of its founding group.
"Change is rarely straightforward and it's truthful to say skilled golf has skilled loads of it over the previous few years," he added.
"However I've all the time believed that change can create alternative and finally result in optimistic outcomes.
"There’ll undoubtedly be extra modifications forward, however I’m assured the sport will proceed to develop, evolve, and ship the perfect for golf followers world wide."
