Golf
LIV Golf ace fuming after airline leaves his clubs behind days before tournament
LIV Golf returns after a month-long absence this week at the Golf Club of Houston in Texas – but Ian Poulter faces a race against time to retrieve his golf clubs
Ian Poulter is heading to Houston for the latest LIV Golf event without any golf clubs after his bag got left at Heathrow Airport.
Poulter, 48, is due to tee off Thursday alongside his Majesticks GC teammates, but neither he nor Henrik Stenson have their clubs to start the week. The co-captains flew out to the United States on Monday evening before play began at the Golf Club of Houston. It is the league’s first event in a month, having had a break for the PGA Championship.
But after taking off, Poulter was informed that his golf bag was not on the same flight. The player believes it is still at Heathrow near the British Airways lounge in Terminal 5.
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As detailed on social media, Poulter received the bad news through a text message while in the air. “Dear customer – BA regret to inform you that a bag has not travelled with you today,” a screenshot he shared reads.
Poulter had plenty to say about the situation on his Instagram Story. “FFS @british_airways so disappointing,” he wrote. I checked in 2 hours 20 minutes before the flight. What could possibly be the excuse.
“Just received the email 3 hours into the flight. I wouldn’t have bothered flying if you’re not sending my golf clubs. Can’t swing fresh air.” In a follow-up post featuring a selfie of Poulter, he reiterates: “Talk about —— off @british_airways.
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“The golf bag wasn’t overweight. I took it to oversize and scanned it and watched it go down the belt. #Pathetic.” He later shared a photo showing the location of his bag. “@british_airways if you’re struggling to find my bag it’s here,” Poulter wrote.
A separate post highlighting another lost set of clubs added: “@british_airways just for the record there are @henrickstenson golf clubs as well. You might as well find those as well whilst you’re looking for mine. The one thing you guys do very well is charge for flying.”
Poulter had been in a better mood before the mishap, posting a selfie of him onboard the plane with the caption: “Heading to Houston.”
He also posted about it being a “good job” he had some earphones as “the guy in front is snoring so loud it’s permanent turbulence”. In the final post ahead of learning about his clubs, Poulter shared a photo of his Cavapoo called Ryder lying on his bed.
“I have a feeling this little guy is going to miss his old man,” the caption read. “Don’t worry just keep my pillow warm.”
This LIV Golf event in Houston is the first of two straight Stateside. A fortnight later, Poulter will be playing at The Grove in Nashville. The US Open falls between the two tournaments, but Poulter has not played in it since 2021.