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Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were forced to awkwardly bat away questions about their involvement in the Saudi-backed LIV series on Wednesday after being asked if they would compete in a tournament run by Vladimir Putin.
The breakaway tour has sent shockwaves through the game after snapping up some of the sport’s top talent for eye-watering signing-on fees ahead of its inaugural event at St Albans on Thursday.
Many golfers have been quizzed about signing up for the competition given Saudi Arabia’s human rights record – with the country singled out for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and having carried out numerous executions.
At a press conference ahead of the opening event, Westwood and Poulter were both quizzed by journalists, with one reporter asking some bold questions of both men.
The journalist, Neil McLeman of the Mirror, asked him: ‘Is there anywhere in the world you wouldn’t play? If Vladimir Putin had a tournament, would you play there?’
Westwood looked totally dumbstruck and the camera flashed across to Poulter – who responded: ‘That’s just speculation, I’m not even going to comment on speculation.’
The reporter then doubled down: ‘Is there anywhere you wouldn’t play on a moral basis, if the money was right?’
Ian Poulter (L) and Lee Westwood (R) faced awkward questions over their involvement in the Saudi-backed LIV series on Wednesday
Poulter refused to comment on speculation when asked if he would play in a tournament run by Russian president Vladimir Putin
Poulter took a large sip of water before taking a long pause – then hit back: ‘I don’t need to answer that question.’
The reporter then took his focus to Westwood and asked if he would like to answer the question – stepping things up and asking if he would play under apartheid in South Africa. ‘You’re just asking us to answer hypothetical questions, which we can’t answer,’ he added.
The journalist defended himself, claiming they were ‘moral questions’.
Westwood similarly declined to answer ‘hypothetical questions’ when asked if he would play a golf tournament in apartheid-run South Africa
Other big names who have joined the series are Dustin Johnson, with the two-time major winner resigning from the PGA Tour in the process. Other top names such as Phil Mickelson and Graeme McDowell have also defected.
Bryson DeChambeau has become the latest to join, it was confirmed by his agent.
Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler are reportedly also close to joining, according to the Telegraph.
Poulter says it is only a matter of time before more of golf’s big hitters cross over.
While the many legal complexities are being assessed by the traditional tours behind the scenes, and could yet see the likes of Poulter and Lee Westwood ruled out of future Ryder Cups, Poulter is convinced more star names will follow the gold rush. The inaugural event of the LIV Invitational Series, staged at Centurion Club, is already being described as the richest event in golf with a £20m prize pot.
Poulter said: ‘I definitely see other top players watching on this week and wanting to be a part of it. There’s a huge investment coming into the game of golf and sport in general. Definitely, other players will be looking in with interest this week and I think they will want to come and see what it’s all about.
‘The team format has always been something which most people have always gravitated. So it is a vast sum of money, but it’s a great platform to be able to build the game of golf.’
Bryson DeChambeau has become the latest star to link up with the controversial series
Former Masters champion Patrick Reed is set to be the next big name to defect
Golf has entered a period of civil war following the creation of this new series, with the PGA Tour having threatened sanctions against those who tee up. The DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour, has been silent publicly on the issue, though their stance is of huge interest to Poulter and Westwood, owing to the potential for Ryder Cup repercussions.
Both golfers admitted they were in the dark over what their move to the LIV series could mean in that regard, with Poulter saying: ‘We don’t know (if future Ryder Cup participation is in jeopardy). I’d like to think it wouldn’t, all the golf I’ve played around the world in all the different countries and tours I don’t see why this should be any different. We don’t know how DP World Tour will view it, it’s obviously a factor.’
Westwood said: ‘What I will say is myself and Ian have been members of the PGA Tour while we’ve been on the European Tour and that’s had no effect in the past on whether people have been captains. LIV Golf is another tour so why should it be any different?’
Westwood, 49, was more open than most in discussing the financial aspect of the move. He said: ‘If there is a pay increase, then at my age I would be stupid not to take it, or certainly have a good look at it and then not take it.’
DeChambeau’s defection is surprising given he distanced himself from the series last week.
The 28-year-old said: ‘For me, I personally don’t think that at this point in time I’m in a place in my career where I can risk things like that.
‘I’m loyal to my family that I’ve created around me with sponsors and everything. And as of right now, the golf world is probably going to change in some capacity.
‘I don’t know what that is. Not my job to do so. I’m just going to keep playing professional golf and enjoy it wherever it takes me, play with the best players in the world.
‘That’s really all I’ve got, that’s what I’ll do for the rest of my life, because I want to be one of the best players in the world.’
Phil Mickelson has also signed up – despite calling Saudis ‘scary motherf***ers’, but refused to confirm whether he had been banned from the PGA Tour.
The six-time major champion said: ‘I’ve been a part of the tour for over 30 years and I’ve had a lot of incredible memories and experiences, tournaments that I’ve won and lost.
Phil Mickelson has linked up with the tour despite calling Saudis ‘scary motherf***ers’
‘I’ve gained a lot, received a lot and I’m grateful for everything the tour has done for me. I’ve also worked hard to contribute and build and add value to the tour in my time there.
‘I worked hard to get a lifetime exemption. I don’t want to give that up. I don’t feel I should have to. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve earned that and I don’t plan on just giving it up.
‘I’ve really enjoyed my time on the PGA Tour. I’m had some incredible experiences, great memories and I have a lot of strong opinions that it should and could be a lot better.
‘One mistake I’ve made is voicing them publicly. I will make an effort to keep those conversations behind closed doors moving forward.’
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