Ian Poulter called out by former Ryder Cup teammate in heated clash over fees

16 December 2023 , 21:57

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Ian Poulter has been called out by former Ryder Cup teammate and captain Padraig Harrington after a bold claim on social media. (Image: Getty)

Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter has been called out by former teammate and captain Padraig Harrington after the LIV Golf star made a bold claim on social media.

Poulter, one of the more outspoken players on the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway tour, accused former Masters champion Fred Couples of having a "short memory" on X after the 64-year-old criticised the way Jon Rahm conducted his seismic £450million move to LIV, which was announced last week.

Couples, speaking on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, was annoyed Rahm was not more upfront about his true motivation for joining LIV and the financial lure of the invitational series. Couples has since been criticised for his take, being accused of hypocrisy after receiving many appearance fees throughout his career, including by 47-year-old Poulter.

The five-time Ryder Cup winner added on X: "I’d be very happy to make public every penny of any appearance fee I’ve made through my career. Then wouldn’t it be interesting to really see who is in a position to spout from their high horse?"

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Harrington, a two-time Open champion and the 2021 European Ryder Cup captain, had his interest piqued by Poulter's claim. The 52-year-old responded: "Go for it. I’m curious for one. Forget politics, I’m nosey. For all those wondering, appearance fees generally require a number of commitments outside of the golf. But one would not happen without the other.

"From the outside, Ian Poulter always looked like he did a great job at appearances but I can’t tell if he was value for money until he spills the beans on what his fees were. Don’t come back with you go first or I will if you will. We’re not six years old."

The back and forth between Poulter and Harrington started after Fred Couples aired his criticisms of Jon Rahm. (Getty Images)

Harrington's request did get a response from Poulter, but it was perhaps not the one the Irishman was hoping for, with the 12-time European Tour winner not divulging any figures.

"Paddy, it’s a very interesting dynamic going on at the moment," Poulter said. "People spouting when they’ve made many millions through appearance fees over the years.

"You and I have done incredibly well on exactly this model. But some choose to forget how well they have or had it."

Poulter, who plays for the Majesticks team in LIV – finished 34th out of 48 players in the end-of-season standings, without a top-10 finish. But he accumulated more than £2m in prize money and he is guaranteed of a roster spot in the 2024 campaign by virtue of his role as a co-captain of his four-man team, alongside Lee Westwood.

Harrington, meanwhile, is one of the leading players on the Champions Tour, winning twice in 2023. He also finished in an impressive fourth place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the DP World Tour in January.

Sam Frost