Ian Poulter sets tongues wagging with cryptic social media update

Ian Poulter has never been one to keep his thoughts to himself.

Since he joined the LIV Golf League just over two years ago – and for some time before that – the Englishman has made a habit of shooting from the hip.

And despite being 48, he is showing no signs of slowly down or letting up… even if some of what he has to say leaves people with more questions than answers.

Consider some of his latest social media updates, for example.

Poulter caused eyebrows to raise yesterday when he posted this on his Instagram Stories:

“I just have to laugh and sigh at the same time,” he wrote. “Sad. I wonder if anybody will have the balls the [sic] question it or pull it apart. I bet they don’t. Let’s wait and see. IYKYK.”

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For those not familiar with the expression, ‘IYKYK’ is internet shorthand for ‘if you know, you know.’

Poulter went on to add: “Or are the puppets going to be the puppets. I wonder.”

It’s no coincidence that Poulter uploaded the cryptic posts during PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan’s press conference ahead of the season-ending Tour Championship.

Monahan was once again asked for an update on the state of the tour’s negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia which bankrolls the LIV Golf League.

And, not for the first time, the embattled commish provided little in the way of material information.

“I appreciate the question, and I understand the question,” said Monahan. “I think the best way for me to respond to that is when you look at where we are right now, we’re in regular dialogue.

“We have the right people at the table with the right mindset. I see that in all of these conversations, and that’s both sides. That creates optimism about the future and our ability to come together.

“But at the same time, these conversations are complex. They’re going to take time. They have taken time, and they will continue to take time.

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“As I sit here today, I think the most important thing for us and our obligations to our fans, our players and our partners is to focus on what we control, which we’re doing, as I outlined, and to continue to carry this momentum forward.

“But I’m not going to negotiate details in public or disclose details or specifics. All I can say is that conversations continue, and they’re productive.”

Whether that was specifically the point Poulter was referring to, only he knows.

Indeed, only one thing is for certain: as we approach the end of 2024, professional men’s golf remains in a state of flux, chaos and confusion.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor