Ian Poulter and Eddie Pepperell bash each other over LIV Golf and DP World Tour
Things get heated between Poulter and Pepperell on social media...
LIV Golf's Ian Poulter and DP World Tour's Eddie Pepperell were locked in a heated Twitter exchange over the weekend, just a day after LIV Golf's Lee Westwood hit out at Pepperell "for being on the red."
Pepperell, who has been consistently outspoken against LIV Golf, was initially reacting to a post by golf writer Alistair Tait.
Tait posted an article examining the strengths of fields currently teeing it up on the DP World Tour and in LIV Golf.
The writer's article was exploring how the former European Tour is becoming a "feeder circuit" for the PGA Tour.
Westwood got involved in the thread, to which Pepperell then asked his English compatriot why he chose not to play in the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama.
Despite Westwood and Poulter both still being eligible to compete in DP World Tour events (as it stands), the Andalucia Masters fell in the same week as LIV Golf Jeddah.
The Andalucia Masters was eventually won by Spain's Adrian Otaegui, who has played in three LIV Golf events this season.
Both Westwood and Poulter are contracted LIV Golf players and therefore they had to compete in Saudi Arabia instead of at one of the DP World Tour's most historic venues, Valderrama, host of the 1997 Ryder Cup.
Pepperell, who has 'LIV golfer in the making' written in his Twitter bio, then asked Poulter, who won the 2004 Volvo Masters in a playoff against Sergio Garcia at Valderrama, the exact same question.
That did not sit well with Poults.
How many tweets do you have to clock up bashing players who play on LIV before @DPWorldTour give you another invite. You must be close. Are you after the ambassadorial program as well ???
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 15, 2022
Oh Eddie,
I’m playing at the same venue the European Tour had an event for 3 years… i can’t play both at once.
Valderrama is one of the best courses in Europe. I’d love to play there again one day. That was a big win in 2004 I remember picking up €625k.
Now answer my Questions— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) October 15, 2022
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) October 15, 2022
"Why didn’t you play Valderrama this year Ian?" tweeted Pepperell.
Poulter replied: "How many tweets do you have to clock up bashing players who play on LIV before DP World Tour give you another invite. You must be close. Are you after the ambassadorial program as well ???"
"I just wanted an answer," responded Pepperell.
Poulter hit back: "Oh Eddie, I’m playing at the same venue the European Tour had an event for 3 years… i can’t play both at once. Valderrama is one of the best courses in Europe. I’d love to play there again one day. That was a big win in 2004 I remember picking up €625k. Now answer my Questions."
Pepperell then posted a GIF with the caption: "Thanks for sharing that story."
Poulter recently shared his disappointment with the treatment he has been receiving whilst on the DP World Tour.
LIV Golf player Sergio Garcia has also expressed similar feelings in recent months, and it is understood the Spaniard will no longer play on the DP World Tour.
Pepperell also commented on the prize money that has been dished out so far on LIV Golf, with Dustin Johnson earning an additional $31.6 million from the first seven events before heading into the season finale in Miami.
Branden Grace lies in second spot on $18.6 million, with Peter Uihlein, who lost out to Brooks Koepka in a playoff at LIV Golf Jeddah on Sunday, in third place with $11.3 million.
Pepperell tweeted: "Still the biggest prize fund event to go as well no?! Wow it’s worked out well financially for guys like Pete and Branden."
Still the biggest prize fund event to go as well no?!
Wow it’s worked out well financially for guys like Pete and Branden.— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) October 17, 2022