Ian Poulter to Undergo Surgery for Meniscus Tear Despite Competing in LIV Golf Korea

Ian Poulter says he needs surgery after suffering a meniscus tear while "hopping up two steps" at a LIV Golf event in Virginia earlier this month. The 50-year-old did not let the injury to his knee cartilage impede him on the course on Thursday, though, as he shot a four-under 66 in the first round of LIV Golf Korea at Asiad Country Club. He followed that with a two-over 72 on Friday to sit tied 13th, six shots behind American leader Talor Gooch. "I tore my meniscus Thursday just hopping up two steps, so went for an MRI when I got back from Virginia, and I'm going to have to have surgery in September," said Poulter. He admitted he was not sure he would be able to compete in Korea, but said walking was more painful than playing. "Bizarrely I have no sensation throughout the golf swing that there's anything wrong with it," added the Englishman. "I sense it when I'm walking downhill, steep downhills. I'm going to have to strengthen that leg, but it's not affecting my golf in any way. "I just have to be reminding myself that I can't go and play padel, tennis or do anything stupid or hop up steps like I did a couple of weeks ago. "Walking in straight lines and being super sensible is not something I'm used to doing. I feel good, the body feels good. We'll deal with that at some stage." Poulter has yet to taste victory at an individual LIV Golf event since joining in 2022, but has 17 professional wins, including three on the PGA Tour. He is not the first golfer to suffer a freak injury. World number one Scottie Scheffler missed the first two weeks of the 2025 PGA Tour season after undergoing surgery on a hand injury he sustained while cooking Christmas dinner, which left him with a puncture wound to the palm of his right hand from a broken glass. Rory McIlroy also had to miss the 2015 Open after he ruptured ankle ligaments while playing five-a-side football with his friends.