Ian Poulter has been one of LIV Golf’s biggest advocates since making the move in 2022, but the European Ryder Cup legend was left furious with a fan at the league’s latest event
Ian Poulter was heard telling a LIV Golf fan at last week’s event in Houston to ‘f*** off’, after the European Ryder Cup stalwart’s anger boiled over.
Poulter was in action at last week’s event, competing around a course he had won at previously during his time on the PGA Tour, having prevailed at the Houston Open back in 2018. This time around he made his return whilst competing on the Saudi-backed series, hunting down his first victory since making the mega-money move.
It was not to be for the 12-time DP World Tour winner though, having finished the 54-hole tournament in a tie for 46th place, whilst he and his Majesticks teammates finished eighth in the team standings following last Sunday’s final round.
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During the event, Poulter was left angered with one spectator, who he furiously confronted whilst making his way around the Houston track. “Why don’t you f*** off?” the Ryder Cupper was heard commenting towards the gallery before hopping onto a golf cart.
“You were f****** piping up on the 18th tee, so f*** off!” The fan who appeared to be feeling the brunt of Poulter’s rant then shrugged his shoulders, before responding: “What’s going on?” In no mood to converse with the spectator, the Majesticks captain added: “Shut the f*** up.”
Poulter was then whisked away on the cart alongside fellow LIV star Brendan Steele, before telling what appeared to be a tournament marshal: “Next time he is out.” Earlier in the week, Poulter was dealt another problem in the build up to his event, after losing his luggage and golf clubs on the flight across.
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The Englishman shared the luggage drama on social media, documenting the events via his Instagram story during his flight with British Airways. Commenting on his lost gear, Poulter wrote: “FFS @british_airways so disappointing. I checked in 2 hours 20 minutes before the flight. What could possibly be the excuse.
“Just received the email 3 hours into the flight. I wouldn’t have bothered flying if you’re not sending my golf clubs. Can’t swing fresh air.” Hitting out at the airline’s handling of the situation, Poulter continued: “The golf bag wasn’t overweight. I took it to oversize and scanned it and watched it go down the belt. #Pathetic.”
He was not the only LIV star with lost luggage too, with his Majesticks co-captain Henrik Stenson also falling to the same fate and his trip over to Houston. Providing an update, Poulter then added: “@british_airways just for the record there are @henrickstenson golf clubs as well. You might as well find those as well whilst you’re looking for mine.
“The one thing you guys do very well is charge for flying.” An Instagram clip one day later showed Poulter and Stenson still without their clubs, with Lee Westwood and Tyrrell Hatton also without theirs. Fortunately for Poulter and co, their luggage finally arrived two days before the tournament.