Mastercard pauses business relationships with LIV players Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell

Mastercard has distanced itself from brand ambassadors Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell of the LIV Golfing Series, Athletics Organization Journal has documented.

Mastercard senior vice president of communications Seth Eisen verified to SBJ on Friday that the company’s relationship with Poulter and McDowell has been paused in recognition of uncertainties involving their participation on the PGA Tour, which has suspended the pair and numerous other individuals after they jumped to rival LIV Golfing. (McDowell relinquished his PGA Tour card soon just before the to start with LIV celebration in close proximity to London.)

The SBJ tale pointed out that Poulter experienced signed an endorsement offer with Mastercard in 2009, and McDowell joined the brand in 2011.

Poulter did not have on the Mastercard logo on his shirt in very last week’s LIV event in Oregon, but the brand was back on his collar in the opening rounds of this week’s Genesis Scottish Open up, co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the DP Entire world Tour. He also wore a brand for Stanley Black & Decker, with whom Poulter signed a contract in early 2022. Both equally of those people logos were being current on Poulter’s apparel in Friday’s 2nd spherical in Scotland, as were being logos for Titleist and FootJoy, watchmaker Audemars Piguet, membership application Aurae Lifestyle and non-public airplane company NetJets.

In Scotland, Poulter also wore the emblem for his LIV staff, the Majesticks.

Graeme McDowell watches his generate at the 10th tee through the 2022 JP McManus Professional-Am before this 7 days at Adare Manor in Limerick, Eire. (Image: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Photographs)

McDowell, in the meantime, now had been dropped by yet another economical sponsor. Royal Financial institution of Canada dumped the former U.S. Open winner after he introduced he would leap to LIV whilst not showing up at the RBC Canadian Open up.

Poulter along with fellow LIV gamers Adrian Otaegui of Spain and Justin Harding of South Africa received a court-ordered short term injunction that permitted them to play in the Scottish Open up right after becoming banned from the party by the DP Environment Tour, formerly the European Tour. Harding opened the Scottish Open with a 65 ahead of faltering with a 74 in the next round.

SBJ did not reveal how extended the “pause” amongst Mastercard and the two gamers may final or what mitigating components could unpause the relations.

Poulter and McDowell are not the 1st gamers to eliminate specials or see sponsorships paused considering the fact that asserting ideas to sign up for LIV Golf. Phil Mickelson, who also signed to play with LIV, has noticed a number of business enterprise relationships cancelled or paused considering that dropping out of PGA Tour perform. Most notably, longtime sponsor Callaway declared it was pausing its marriage with Mickelson in February, and very last year’s PGA Championship winner has not been noticed in any of his conventional logos in LIV occasions.