We’re about to find out just how much Ian Poulter values the Ryder Cup.
According to a report from James Corrigan of The Telegraph, the Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League has offered the European Ryder Cup stalwart £22 million — between $20 and $30 million — upfront to join the breakaway endeavor.
- Poulter has made roughly $50 million on the course over his 27-year professional career. He stands to cash roughly half of that sum by signing on with the Saudis.
- The decision doesn’t come without its drawbacks, however. Both the PGA and DP World Tours, as well as the PGA of America, have been adamant in a ban of players who defect, essentially ending Poulter’s involvement in the biennial Ryder Cup matches that have defined his career. Poulter is believed to be a shoo-in for the European captaincy in 2025 in New York.
Generational wealth or immortal legacy?
Poulter will be faced with a difficult decision in the coming weeks and months as he mulls over his options, but he won’t be alone. One of his best friends out on Tour, Henrik Stenson, is in a similar — and more pressing — situation as he is up for the 2023 captaincy in Italy.
Others, such as Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood have also been in the news lately for their alleged interest in the splinter Tour.
Exclusive: Saudi Arabia offers Ian Poulter £22m to ditch Ryder Cup and join rebel golf tour | @jcorrigangolf https://t.co/lJshNzyb8N
— Telegraph Sport (@TelegraphSport) February 1, 2022
What plays out at the Saudi International this week will be worth watching, not necessarily for the golf itself — although 21 of the top-50 in the world are competing — but for the fallout as it pertains to who and how many of those in the field are being offered similar sums of money to defect.
