Ian Poulter is in danger of losing his place on LIV Golf after the rebel tour changed a key rule, with the European Ryder Cup hero currently in the relegation zone

Ian Poulter is in serious danger of dropping off the LIV Golf tour(Image: Getty)

Ian Poulter is teetering on the brink of losing his spot in LIV Golf after the rebel circuit changed a key regulation.

The European Ryder Cup legend and former PGA Tour and DP World Tour star defected to the controversial Saudi-funded series in 2022. He pocketed an eye-watering $26.5 million for his switch and has raked in $10M in winnings since then.

However, the move meant he faced hefty fines to participate in DP World Tour events and stay in the running for Ryder Cup qualification. Although LIV has been footing the bill for such penalties – a practice set to cease in 2026 – Poulter has stood firm against paying on principle.

Last year, the 49-year-old told Sports Illustrated: “I personally wouldn’t pay because I felt it was unjust at the time to be fined $100,000 a week because it makes no sense to me at all. My stance has never changed.

“I’ve played golf all over the world. I was never paying fines when I played outside of Europe on other tours around the world, so my stance is exactly the same as I had three years ago.”

Yet, with his place in jeopardy due to LIV abolishing the exemption that protected team captains, Poulter might need to reassess his approach. Under the rule, any player finishing the season below the top 48 will lose their card for 2026.

Poulter has refused to pay his DP World Tour fines(Image: Getty)

Currently co-captaining the Majesticks GC squad, Poulter is 51st with two tournaments left to get out of trouble. Previously, captains had the opportunity to argue for their spot on the team, as Bubba Watson did last year when he managed to retain his position despite finishing 53rd.

However, in a bid to enhance the tour’s reputation and facilitate its inclusion in the Official World Golf Rankings, a shift has occurred since Scott O’Neil’s appointment as the new LIV chief executive, replacing Greg Norman.

oulter, along with his co-captains and Ryder Cup icons Lee Westwood (46th) and Henrik Stenson (47th), are close to relegation after a disappointing season with the Majesticks outfit, which also features Sam Horsfield, who is currently safe at 37th. The seasoned trio may face a direct battle to avoid dropping out in the upcoming tournaments in Chicago and Indianapolis.

Lee Westwood and Poulter have had dismal seasons(Image: Getty)

Westwood seems more receptive to the idea of returning to the DP World Tour if he is relegated, unlike Poulter. He told the Telegraph last month: “I can go back to the DP World Tour, you know.

“LIV would pay my fines, which are ridiculously about £900,000, and I still have several exemptions to play on that circuit. LIV would already have paid my fines if I’d asked, but I didn’t do it out of principle. It’s a daft amount anyway.”