LIV Golf 2026: Ian Poulter ‘grazed’ on the ear after near miss from stray ball at Rocester – 'Would have hurt a lot'

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British golf veteran Ian Poulter was lucky to avoid injury on Thursday when some disorganisation further up the course led to him almost being hit by another player's ball. As the action unfurled it became clear just how fortunate he was.

Watch: DeChambeau 'very sorry' after almost hitting Poulter with wayward drive

Video credit: TNT Sports

Poulter was preparing a shot on the sixth hole at the JCB Golf and Country Club in Rocester, England when he was almost struck at the LIV Golf event.

The 50-year-old was moments from swinging his club before a bouncing ball was shown on screen landing a couple of yards away from him and then speeding past his face, missing by a metre or so.

Given the pace of the ball, there was clearly a risk of a nasty injury had contact been made.

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Fortunately for Poulter, the near-miss saved his skin, though he was clearly left deeply unimpressed by the lack of safety measures that had rendered him at risk.

He looked back in the direction of where the ball had come from and sarcastically yelled out, ”Fore!”

That is the traditional warning given for golfers down the green to know to anticipate that a shot is coming but, with no signal given, Poulter was unaware.

It transpired that the ball had been struck by American competitor Bryson DeChambeau.

DeChambeau was four under as he teed off and was chasing a positive start to this week’s competition.

Somewhat astonished, LIV Golf commentator David Feherty weighed in: ”Well somebody hit their tee shot!”

When it became known that it was DeChambeau who had sent the ball down the course, whistling past Poulter, it was quickly established that the player had not been at fault, because he had not been informed that there was anyone potentially in the way that he needed to warn or wait for.

The commentator added: ”He didn't know. Nobody told him. This just missed him. You can tell Bryson is very sorry. No one told him. This is no one’s fault here.”

Whether Poulter will be as forgiving of DeChambeau or the tournament organisers is another matter.

DeChambeau is known for his athletic build and is one of the biggest hitters on the LIV tour. The 32-year-old's clubs are made to his particular specifications, with thicker than normal grips. In 2020, he became the longest driver on the PGA Tour.

DeChambeau's trials with a 48-inch non-putter club led to a rule change to enforce a limit to 46 inches, and his efforts to get the most out of his clubs and his general approach to the sport has led to him earning the nickname, ”The Scientist.”

This season, DeChambeau is second in the LIV Golf standings John Rahm leads with seven top fives and two wins, earning 929 points. DeChambeau has five top-five finishes, two wins, and 644 points. Poulter is 43rd overall, with no top fives, no wins, and 69.9 points.

'It would have hurt, a lot' - Poulter reacts after nearly being hit by DeChambeau's drive

Video credit: TNT Sports

‘It’s not his fault’ - Poulter does not blame DeChambeau

Speaking after the round, Poulter spoke to TNT Sports and perhaps teasingly suggested the ball had even made contact with him.

"It wasn't his fault at all but it just grazed the ear on the way past, I think,” he said with a grimace.

"It was very close. It wouldn't have been good. It would have hurt a lot, that was a shock to the system. The heart rate went up quite a bit when you can hear that ball cutting through the air as he passes your ear.”

However, Poulter made it plain that the blame did not rest with his peer, instead noting the new tee box is positioned in such a way as to prevent him seeing what lay ahead.

He explained: "The new tee box they put up there has got back a bit and you can't see that portion of the fairway where you're going to take it on.

"It's not his fault, it's one of those things."

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How to watch the LIV Golf 2026 season

TNT Sports and its streaming platform HBO Max will broadcast all 14 global events from the 2026 LIV Golf season.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through HBO Max, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

LIV Golf 2026 schedule

The LIV Golf 2026 season sees 12 events played between February and August, with the dates and schedule below.

July 23-26 – LIV Golf UK by JCB, JCB Golf and Country Club, Great Britain
August 20-23 – LIV Golf Indianapolis, The Club at Chatham Hills, USA
August 27-30 – Aramco LIV Golf Michigan, The Cardinal at Saint John’s, USA

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