Why did LIV Golf's Ian Poulter skip Open qualifying? "Not easy to play 36 holes"

LIV Golf players Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have opened up on their decision not to attempt to qualify for the forthcoming Open championship at Royal Liverpool. 

The English golfers are at Centurion Club just outside of London getting ready for the breakaway tour's ninth event of their 2023 campaign. 

It was confirmed in late June the duo wouldn't be attempting to get into the field to have a chance to lift the Claret Jug at Hoylake. 

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As for Westwood, it will be the first time in nearly 30 years he will miss what he described on Wednesday as the 'greatest championship in the world'. 

Fellow LIV player Sergio Garcia narrowly missed out on one of five spots at West Lancashire in final qualifying. 

Both Westwood, 50, and Poulter, 47, contended their decision was down to scheduling, the lack of world ranking points and joked about their ageing bodies. 

Poulter told the media when asked to explain his decision:

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| Lee Westwood has vowed he will never rejoin the DP World Tour. pic.twitter.com/sYeVSNKkCx

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 16, 2023

Westwood said when he planned his 2023 schedule he was hoping to play in his first Senior Open Championship. 

The golfer, who has won 44 times around the globe and participated in as many as 11 Ryder Cups, has been barred from competing at Royal Porthcawl. 

He was refused entry because of alleged outstanding fines owed to the DP World Tour following his move to LIV Golf in 2022. 

The DP World Tour oversees the Seniors Open alongside the R&A. The R&A is the sole governing body of the Open Championship. 

Westwood said: 

Westwood later said that he had settled his fine. Poulter confirmed that he, too, paid a £100,000 fine. 

What do you make of these comments from Poulter and Westwood? Get involved in the debate on Twitter or Facebook. 

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