Ian Poulter Faces LIV Golf Relegation Amid Rule Changes

Ian Poulter faces imminent relegation from LIV Golf as the league has announced a strict policy that there will be no safety net for players finishing outside the top 48 in the points standings for the 2026 season, regardless of whether they are team captains. This marks a departure from last year when players like Bubba Watson and Branden Grace were allowed to remain despite finishing in the relegation zone, a practice that had drawn criticism and hindered LIV Golf's efforts to gain official status with the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). LIV Golf, now under CEO Scott O'Neil, is enforcing these tougher rules to demonstrate competitive integrity and increase player turnover to satisfy OWGR criteria. Poulter, currently near or below the cutoff, must achieve strong finishes in the remaining events or seek re-entry via the LIV Golf promotions tournament, where only one player will secure a place. His contract is reportedly ending soon, and his future with LIV Golf remains uncertain amid a poor season performance. The change reflects LIV's push to legitimize its tour and provide greater access to major tournaments for its players.