Ian Poulter says he’s received a great reaction since the Full Swing docuseries was released on Netflix, positivity that’s been largely absent since he joined LIV Golf.
Speaking to The Telegraph’s James Corrigan, Poulter believes the criticism he has received for joining the Saudi-backed circuit has been “very unjust”. A European Ryder Cup hero, he can’t believe his commitment to the European cause has even been questioned, and while he admits to being very hurt, he claims to have received a pile of heartening apologies since airing his reasons for joining LIV on the Netflix show.
“The pictures show it,” he says of his passion for the Ryder Cup. “Blood, sweat and tears, I wasn’t acting. I was a wreck for a few weeks after each one of those matches.
“I loved every second, but now I’m in the situation where I feel unwelcome. Just because I put my family first? I’ve struggled to cope with that, although the reaction to Netflix has helped a lot.
“I mean, scrolling through the messages, since it was released 10 days ago, it’s been one positive thing after another. The opposite of what I’ve become used to.
“I’ve had loads saying, ‘please accept an apology – I’ve said things to you that I shouldn’t and have a new respect level. Anyone would do that for their family’. I hope this has been a turning point. I know I’ve been making a fresh start.”
In Full Swing, Poulter, who’s enjoyed an extremely lucrative playing career, acknowledged a common criticism levelled at him for taking the Saudi money – when will enough ever be enough?
In the show, Poulter said it’s all relative, expanding further to The Telegraph:
“I don’t just think of my kids, but their kids and their kids and that is what I work for. People might have their objections. I’m not sure I get it, but fair enough. Yet I don’t understand why they take it so far.”
“[They were] not necessary and I think that, in many respects, the media are to blame for the extent of this abuse.”
“It’s just felt very, very unjust.”
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