Charlie Woods’ Rival Gets Teased Into LIV Golf: Are Amateurs Allowed in Greg Norman’s League?

Every father dreams of his son following in his footsteps, and LIV golfer Ian Poulter is no different. Nicknamed ‘The Postman’ by his Ryder Cup teammates for his consistent performance, Poulter has a remarkable record of 15-8-2. After securing 17 tournament victories on various tours, Poulter joined LIV Golf in 2022.

Before his days in LIV Golf, Poulter won two World Golf Championships: the 2010 WGC Accenture Match Play Championship and the 2012 WGC-HSBC Champions. With such accolades, it’s evident that the 48-year-old Ryder Cup legend hopes to see his legacy continue. This aspiration might be closer to reality than ever. His eldest son, Luke Poulter, was named SEC Freshman of the Week in October 2023. A strong rival of Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie Woods, Ian Poulter expressed his desire for Luke to join his team.

Ian Poulter serves as the co-captain of the Majesticks GC team alongside Henrik Stenson. Luke Poulter, currently studying at the University of Florida, is the apple of his father’s eye. “Hopefully, one day [Luke] can take over the reins from me as a Majesticks GC player. We’ll see how his next three years at college go, but I’d love nothing more than for Luke to wear the Majesticks shirt,” said Poulter. But are amateurs allowed to play in the breakaway league?

The answer is a resounding yes. The Saudi-backed league hosted a promotions event from December 8 to December 10 last year at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, featuring 72 holes over three days. Major championship winners, Ryder Cup participants, and top amateurs were invited to compete for a membership to the league, with a purse of $1.5 million.

The top three winners were rewarded with $200,000, $150,000, and $100,000. All professionals were guaranteed at least $5,000, while amateurs received $1,000 for participating. Kalle Samooja, 36, won the event, demonstrating that amateurs can indeed be part of the league. Thus, if Luke Poulter excels, Ian Poulter’s dream isn’t far-fetched. History supports this possibility.

**David Puig: A Trailblazer for Amateurs in LIV Golf**

David Puig became the first amateur to join LIV Golf on September 23 at LIV Golf Chicago. Despite finishing at T37 with an over-par score, it marked a significant milestone as his first professional championship. Ranked ninth among amateurs globally, Puig’s transition from college programs at Arizona State to LIV Golf was career-changing, even if overshadowed by LIV’s acquisition of stars like Phil Mickelson and Cameron Smith.

With all indicators pointing in the right direction, Luke Poulter’s entry into LIV Golf seems imminent. If things go as planned, we might soon see Luke competing in LIV Golf, fulfilling his father’s dreams and continuing the legacy.