A surreal new front has emerged in golf's civil war after Ian Poulter accused Ryder Cup Europe's twitter account of snubbing the birthday of his fellow LIV rebel Sergio Garcia under 'orders' from the head of the DP World Tour.

In posting a gripe that has since drawn amusement and ridicule, Poulter lashed out at the account for failing to wish a happy birthday to their record points scorer Garcia, who turned 43 on Monday.

Responding to a Ryder Cup Europe tweet that had highlighted Francesco Molinari's 'incredible touch', Poulter wrote: 'What's really an 'incredible touch' is the Players that helped build the @RyderCupEurope Brand with other players as well.

'You just can't bring yourself to say a simple Happy Birthday. @TheSergioGarcia B'day yesterday. Unfortunately this says so much.' 

Poulter, whose 47th birthday was on Tuesday, replied to a subsequent comment with the suggestion that a directive had been made by 'petty' DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley. 

Next to a laughing emoji, Poulter wrote: 'Just highlighting the orders that have been given from the Top down.. #pettypelley.' 

His grumbles come at a time when Poulter and other LIV stars are engaged in a legal battle with the tour over their right to play the European circuit in the wake of their departure to join Greg Norman’s LIV start-up. 

February’s legal ruling will determine if those same LIV golfers are eligible for Ryder Cup selection for this autumn’s match against the USA.

Lee Westwood, who will be 50 in April, tweeted: 'Just FYI… I'm of an age where I don't want reminding that another birthday has come and gone! #birthdaygate.'

Poulter's indignation has echoes of Manchester City footballer Yaya Toure - or more specifically his agent Dimitri Seluk - getting upset the club didn't mark his 31st birthday in 2014.

Toure later tried to pin the blame on Seluk, saying people would mock him by asking 'you want cake?'