Ian Poulter described his controversial switch to LIV Golf as a "business decision", after defending his move on Netflix's PGA Tour docuseries 'Full Swing'. The fly-on-the-wall show gives fans a behind-the-scenes look into one of golf's most turbulent years in recent times.
The Netflix cameras were there every step of the way, as a civil war broke out within the sport between the newly formed LIV Golf Series and the PGA Tour. A number of the Tour's biggest names made the controversial decision to join the Saudi-funded circuit, including Poulter.
Despite being suspended from the PGA Tour following his switch last summer, the Englishman plays a big role in season one of Full Swing, both before and after his LIV move.
In the docuseries, Poulter is given the chance to explain why he made the controversial move. Many - including the 47-year-old - received widespread criticism for the decision to leave the PGA Tour and sign on the dotted line with LIV.
The breakaway circuit led by former world No. 1 Greg Norman lured in a number of big names thanks to multi-million pound signing on fees and lucrative prize pots. And for Poulter, this made his offer one that he was unable to turn down.
He said at the time of filming: "I treat my golf as a job, and I obviously want to maximise every bit of my potential over the coming years. Iâm 46, I'm not getting any younger. It [moving to LIV] is a business decision. It is an opportunity so we will see.â
Poulter has always been one of professional golf's more outgoing characters, whether that be sporting his often outlandish outfits out on Tour, or roaring Team Europe to victory over their American rivals in the PGA Tour. And this is why the Englishman felt he was the perfect match for Saudi-funded circuit.
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"I think I bring a personality. I think I bring an individual who has been super successful throughout his career. I have a great social media following. This is a platform for me to continue being the personality that I have been for the last 24 years on tour.â
One of LIV's biggest critics has been Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, and during the Full Swing production he claimed that Poulter had 'given up everything' - including the chance to be a Ryder Cup captain - following his move to LIV Golf. He said: "You make the decision to go to Saudi Arabia, and here there are these atrocities that you are helping to hideâ¦
"I think Ian Poulter has given up everything. He is not going to be a Ryder Cup captain, he is not going to get the goodwill of the game of golf, he wonât get the goodwill of sponsors. It all goes away."
