Mastercard Suspends Deals With McDowell And Poulter In Latest LIV Fallout

As the golf world attempts to adjust to the latest fallout from the emergence of the LIV Golf Tour on a daily basis, the newest has emerged.

Mastercard has paused its sponsorship deals with Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell over their participation in LIV or lack thereof with the PGA Tour. 

Report: Mastercard pauses business relationships with LIV players Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell https://t.co/Iret8g4Cad

— Golfweek (@golfweek) July 9, 2022

Mastercard Vice President of Communications, Seth Eisen had stated:

 “We have paused the activation of our relationship with Ian and Graeme, recognizing the uncertainties around their standing with the PGA Tour.”

This development marks the second sponsorship abandonment for McDowell after he was dropped by RBC alongside Dustin Johnson. 

Mastercard has paused its sponsorships with brand ambassadors Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell, due to them playing #LIVGolf (via @SBJ) pic.twitter.com/vYd1UDErsy

— LIV Golf Updates (@LIVGolfUpdates) July 9, 2022

Recent days have marked a rollercoaster for Poulter, who joined fellow golfers in a lawsuit against the Genesis Scottish Open for a stay to play in the event. After winning the lawsuit and being granted access to play, Poulter failed to make the cut. 

Ian Poulter has always sold a lot of ad space on his golf shirts. He’s gone from sporting 6 corporate sponsors in April to just 1 now (Majestics team logo on his left sleeve doesn’t count). @BrendanPorath @AndyTFE @NoLayingUp @GeoffShac @TronCarterNLU pic.twitter.com/9VY60Yau1R

— Chris (@GolfGuy77) July 5, 2022

The situation between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour seems to unfold in a new direction daily. With other LIV golfers such as Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson also losing sponsors over the merge, others such as Brooks Koepka have maintained their major sponsors; Koepka’s most notably with Nike. There doesn’t seem to be clear-cut rules to go by, with yesterday’s developments shaping tomorrow’s news. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Graeme McDowell (@graeme_mcdowell)

Do you think golfers should lose their sponsors?

If so, more might look like Patrick Reed soon enough. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by LIV Golf (@livgolfinv)

Cover Image Via SkySports