Archive of posts tagged Lee Westwood

Poulter at risk of relegation: future uncertain

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Bubba Watson

A registered letter with no return receipt was sent by the new CEO of LIV Golf, Scott O'Neil, to Ian Poulter. No exceptions: either The Postman places in the top 48 of the 2025 rankings or he's out of a permanent spot on the Saudi tour. With two events remaining in the season, Poulter sits in 51st place.

Ian Poulter, news

The former Ryder Cup star is playing the 2026 event in Chicago this weekend and in Indianapolis next weekend. His hopes are slim: in 2025, the Englishman has a best finish of 13th in South Korea. In total, he has earned 4.5 points in the LIV rankings. Chilean Niemann, the dominant player this year, has a remarkable 206.8.

Scott O'Neill has made things clear, trying to regain his virginity and get LIV players back into the world rankings (and thus back into the Majors). This year, his tour will be played solely on merit on the green. No exemptions.

No exceptions like twelve months ago when, for unspecified "commercial reasons," then-boss Greg Norman fished out Bubba Watson. The American professional, captain of the Range Goats team, finished the 2024 season ranked 53rd. The same treatment was reserved for South African Branden Grace.

More than a hundred professionals from around the world are participating in this never-ending playoff, all chasing a contract. Plan B involves winning the International Series, the minor circuit of the Asian Tour: too bad Ian isn't even in the top 100 today.

According to The Telegraph, the Englishman's contract with the PIF expires on August 24th, at the end of the Grand Team Finals in Michigan. If things go badly (or even terribly), the Englishman could be limited to being the manager or non-playing captain of his team, the Majesticks, next year.

The full Majesticks team: Sam Horsfield, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Henrik Stenson (Photo by Cliff Hawkins / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The Majesticks are not doing well. Also on the team with Poulter are Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood. The Swede is currently 47th in the LIV ranking, while the Englishman is 46th. Both are on the knife's edge.

It's sad to think of the most bitter scenario: three giants of world golf (Westwood was once number one in the ranking) and of the Ryder Cup competing against each other in the Qualifying Schools for a place in the sun.

In this evolving scenario, the DP World Tour is standing by. Poulter, Westwood, and Sergio Garcia left Europe two years ago, slamming the door, complete with written resignations. Henrik Stenson went further: first he accepted the appointment as European Ryder Cup captain, then he moved to the circuit, a sworn enemy of the DP and PGA. That confrontation now seems a long way off, thanks to a struggling European circuit jostling for greater visibility and sponsorship. Three players like Ian, Lee, and Henrik would still be very useful.

Music on course? Westwood says he’s comfortable with LIV Golf’s new vibe

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experienced golfer

Lee Westwood is currently playing at LIV Golf UK, and after the second day the experienced golfer finished with five strokes under par, 66.

The 52-year-old has been playing great lately, and it seems that with such performances many paths are opening up for him. Westwood has repeatedly emphasized his satisfaction with LIV Golf, the vision of this Tour, as well as his ambitions for the future.

Although there are some shortcomings, such as the lack of OWGR ranking points, optimism remains high among LIV officials and players.

In a media interview, Westwood, however, emphasized the music that was playing on the golf course yesterday, stressing that he has no problem with it.

Regardless of the fact that he is an experienced golfer, Westwood admits that his persona is open to change and adaptation. 

Lee is someone who puts an accent on innovations in the world of golf.

“Seemed appropriate, right?

Am I comfortable with it? Yeah, I don’t mind change and adapting. It’s people in general that don’t like change and adapting. People are used to the traditions and staying in their ways, their comfort.

But all sports have to adapt and change. I think golf is doing a great job of it through LIV, yeah.“- he said, as quoted by the Golfing Gazette.

Lee's future

Westwood has played solidly this season with 3 top 40 finishes, 3 top 25 finishes, and 1 top 10 finish. 

An experienced golfer can be delighted with this kind of performances, and there is no doubt that he will give his maximum to use the momentum. 

Regardless of his advanced age, his hunger and desire for success can be an example to others. 

He has a bright future ahead of him, and it will be interesting to see whether he can be a serious threat to his opponents at LIV Golf in the coming weeks.