Ian Poulter Opens Up About LIV Golf in Netflix Documentary

IAN POULTER recently announced that if he was invited to play in this year’s Ryder Cup he would probably decline. But he tells a very different story in the new Netflix series, Full Swing, which will be available from February 15.

Poulter says in the series that he would be devastated if he misses out on the Ryder Cup captaincy. He also opens up on his reasons for joining LIV Golf.

The series was meant to be about a year in the ice of the PGA Tour. But, of course, part of that year involved the launch of LIV Golf, with a mass of player defections and the PGA Tour imposing bans.

Poulter, dubbed the Postman for his ability to deliver crucial Ryder Cup points, was a near-certainty to captain Europe in 2025 before joining the Saudi-breakaway league. And he hinted last month he might refuse to play in Rome even if he is allowed to qualify.

The Englishman is one of the featured golfers in Full Swing - golf’s answer to Formula One’s Drive to Survive - giving behind-the-scenes access to the tour.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

And speaking on camera before confirming signing for the Saudi-backed breakaway league last year, Poulter, 47, admitted: “We just don’t know how it would compromise any possibility of playing or captaining the Ryder Cup side. It is a difficult decision - and a decision with so many uncertainties.”

And the Florida-based star also gave an insight into his motivation for accepting the LIV money - and possibly getting banned - after earning more than $28m in prize money alone on the PGA Tour.

“Growing up in Stevenage, we as a family never had luxury items,” said Poulter, who has propensity for fast cars. “It gave me the want to succeed at a very early age.

“My whole life is about trying to work hard and provide. The fact of there being guaranteed money at play is obviously an attraction. People ask all the time: ‘Don’t you have enough already?’ But that is all relative. I treat my golf as a job and I want to obvously maximise every bit of my potential over the coming years. I'm not getting any younger. 

“I love the Ryder Cup. And if one day I get the opportunity to be Ryder Cup captain, I would absolutely love it. It would be devastating if it were to be taken away.”

The episode “Money or Legacy” shows Poulter shouting “f***” and throwing practice equipment in frustration after losing to Matt Fitzpatrick at the WGC Match Play and missing out on The Masters.

Poulter is also shown at the first LIV event in June refusing to answer my question about whether he would play anywhere if the money was right.

Golf Fans Should Be Excited About Netflix Documentary