“That is what LIV Golf has given me”: Ian Poulter details why he skipped Open Championship qualifying
Ian Poulter isn't going to be at the Open Championship. It's not surprising for LIV Golf members to miss out given the unique challenge of qualifying for any Major, but Poulter didn't even try. There are opportunities, albeit limited, for LIV Golf players to qualify, and many of them do. Poulter just didn't think he should give it an effort.
It was a pointed decision, with a reason behind it. Unlike Talor Gooch who didn't pursue Major qualifying earlier in the year partly to make a point, Poulter just didn't necessarily want to play the Open Championship.
“My world ranking is not high enough to get into the Open Championship," Poulter said via Bunkered. "I had the ability to go and qualify and I didn’t. I was on holiday with the family in Switzerland instead. That is what LIV Golf has given me, a bit more family time. I still have got a busy schedule with LIV playing 14 tournaments.”
The LIV schedule is far less demanding compared to the PGA Tour. There are just 14 events every year for LIV, whereas there are more than 30 events on the PGA Tour every year.
That's important for someone like Poulter, who prefers spending time with his family on vacation than attempting to qualify for a tournament he's not very interested in playing anyway.
Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter's longtime friend and teammate at Majesticks Golf Club, also declined the chance to go to qualifying. There are, however, plenty of LIV Golf members who did try and qualify.
Sergio Garcia may join Ian Poulter in watching Open Championship from home
Ian Poulter isn't the only LIV player who won't be at the Open Championship. Barring a sponsor exemption, Sergio Garcia won't be either. The difference is that Garcia attempted to qualify and failed. He missed out by two strokes.
Garcia blamed the crowds and a slow play warning, as fans interrupted his play and forced him to slow down, thus preventing him from playing his game. Whatever the reason, he's not in the field presently.
One fan suggested that he be invited regardless since he's such a draw for fans. They can still invite him to the tournament, but it remains to be seen which golfers will receive the exemptions.
In the past, Majors have offered a spot to players who've tried but failed to make it. Joaquin Niemann tried and failed to make the Masters, but was invited later as a result of his efforts. Perhaps the same will happen to Garcia, but Ian Poulter didn't even want to try.