Ian Poulter's LIV Golf career hangs in the balance as the climax of the 2025 season approaches.
Ian Poulter, a seasoned golfer currently competing in the LIV Golf League, has managed to secure his spot in the 2026 season by a narrow margin. After a challenging 2025 season, Poulter was in a critical relegation battle but ultimately succeeded in maintaining his position.
Throughout the 12 events of the 2025 season, Poulter only managed to finish in the points once, with his best result being a T13th at LIV Golf Korea. Before the final event, he was well inside the relegation zone, sitting 51st or 52nd.
The LIV Golf League consists of 54 players, with relegation applying to the bottom six players on the season-long points list at the end of the season. Poulter, a big name in the league, was one of the players at risk of relegation, with his contract expiring at the end of 2025.
The final LIV Golf Indy event was decisive for Poulter. His late surge enabled him to secure his card for 2026, while teammate Henrik Stenson fell just short and was relegated. Other notable players relegated include Andy Ogletree and Mito Pereira, who currently holds the first relegation spot with 5.10 points.
Should Poulter be relegated, he may consider retirement off the back of career earnings in excess of $40 million. However, he would not be allowed to return to the PGA Tour for at least a year. The only way back for Poulter if he is relegated would be to win the LIV Golf Promotions event later this year.
As it stands, Poulter currently has 4.5 points in the 2025 LIV Golf League. He moved over to LIV from the PGA Tour in 2022. Other players in the league who are also in danger of relegation include Lee Westwood in 47th place with 7.20 points, Luis Masaveu in 51st place with 4.59 points, and Brendan Steele in 46th place with 7.36 points.
In the 2024 season, Poulter secured his status for 2025 with results in Chicago and Hong Kong. In his inaugural LIV Golf season, Poulter finished 31st with 16 points. In 2023, he finished 34th with 22 points.
[1] LIV Golf Official Website [2] ESPN Golf [3] Golf Digest [4] Sports Illustrated Golf
In the nail-biting final event of the 2025 LIV Golf season, Ian Poulter's late surge salvaged his position, allowing him to maintain his spot in the league for the 2026 season. Despite his struggles throughout the year, ending with only one points finish, he managed to avoid the relegation zone that claimed players such as Henrik Stenson, Andy Ogletree, and Mito Pereira, who currently holds the first relegation spot with 5.10 points.
