Since joining LIV Golf in 2022, Ian Poulter has been one of its strongest supporters; however, at the league’s most recent event, the European Ryder Cup legend got into an argument with a fan.
At last week’s event in Houston, Ian Poulter was overheard telling a fan of LIV Golf to “f*** off” after the European Ryder Cup veteran’s temper got the better of him.
Poulter was in action at last week’s tournament, going around a course where, back in his PGA Tour career, he had won the Houston Open in 2018. He returned this time, competing in the Saudi-sponsored series and aiming for his first win since making the huge financial shift.
Despite finishing the 54-hole tournament in a tie for 46th place, the 12-time DP World Tour winner and his Majesticks teammates ended up eighth in the team standings after last Sunday’s final round.
Poulter was upset with a spectator during the event, and as he was circling the Houston track, he angrily confronted him. The Ryder Cupper was heard saying to the gallery, “Why don’t you f*** off?” before getting into a golf cart.
“F* off, you were f* piping up on the 18th tee!” The fan who seemed to be taking the worst of Poulter’s tirade then shrugged and asked, “What’s going on?” Not wanting to talk to the onlooker, the Majesticks captain continued, “Shut the f up.”
Then Poulter and fellow LIV star Brendan Steele were carted off, and Poulter said to an apparent tournament marshal, “Next time he is out.” Poulter had another setback in the lead-up to his tournament earlier in the week when he misplaced his golf clubs and luggage during the transatlantic flight.
Using his Instagram story to chronicle the events during his British Airways flight, the Englishman shared the drama surrounding his luggage on social media. Poulter wrote, “FFS @british_airways so disappointing,” in reference to his misplaced gear. Two hours and twenty minutes prior to takeoff, I checked in. What could the possible justification be?
“I only discovered the email three hours into the journey. If you hadn’t sent my golf clubs, I wouldn’t have bothered to fly. Able to breathe fresh air.” Poulter went on to criticize the airline’s handling of the matter, saying, “The golf bag wasn’t overweight. I scanned it, took it to oversize, and watched it slide down the belt. #Pathetic.”
He wasn’t the only LIV celebrity to have misplaced luggage; Henrik Stenson, his Majesticks co-captain, also experienced this misfortune and had to travel to Houston. Poulter then provided an update, saying, “Just to clarify, there are golf clubs owned by @henrickstenson in addition to @british_airways. As you search for mine, you might as well locate those as well.
The one thing you guys excel at is charging airplanes.” A day later, Poulter, Stenson, Lee Westwood, and Tyrrell Hatton were all missing their clubs in an Instagram video. Luckily for Poulter and company, their bags showed up two days prior to the competition.
