Ian Poulter Warns DP World Tour Could Be in Trouble if LIV Golf Disappears

The money part of this story is important. In 2021, the PGA Tour made a partnership with the DP World Tour. It first gave $85 million and got a 15% share in European Tour Productions.

Later, its share went up to 40%. The PGA Tour also promised that every event would have at least $3 million in prize money. But keeping this promise has cost the Tour many millions of dollars every year.

That deal will be reviewed again in 2027. Poulter believes the situation is simple. As long as LIV Golf is still around, it helps American golf keep a strong relationship with European golf. But if LIV Golf is no longer there, that reason may disappear.

“The PGA Tour now has private equity, and they want as much return as possible on their investment,” he said. “So with the European Tour costing all this money… again, it’s not rocket science.”

But the DP World Tour’s uncertain future is only half of what Poulter wanted to say. He also had a firm view on whether LIV itself is finished.

Ian Poulter Still Believes LIV Can Survive Without Saudi Money

On the question of LIV’s future, Poulter pointed to private equity as the path forward.

He mentioned Rory McIlroy’s investment in the Alpine Formula 1 team. The team was worth about $900 million in 2023 and is now said to be worth around $3 billion. He said LIV Golf could attract similar types of sports investors.

“That is the opportunity that now lies ahead for Scott [O’Neil], for us, to build a 2.0 version of LIV,” Poulter said.

Reports suggest LIV was losing $100 million a month before the PIF pulled out. Poulter acknowledged the cuts were necessary and described the current situation as a needed reset for the entire professional game.

As for his own position, Poulter was direct. “I’ve got enough money to never play golf again,” he said. “But I believe in LIV and think it can still prosper.”