Terrifying moment Ryder Cup icon is nearly HIT by Bryson DeChambeau’s drive before bellowing at him down fairway

BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU nearly hit Ian Poulter with a ball after a rogue tee shot at LIV Golf UK on Thursday. The pair were both playing their first round at the JCB Golf and Country Club when disaster almost struck. Ian Poulter was nearly pelted with a ball at LIV Golf UK Credit: tnt sports Bryson DeChambeau took a tee shot when he shouldn’t have Credit: tnt sports Ryder Cup legend Poulter, 50, was lining up a shot on the seventh hole fairway when he turned in fear. Just as the Brit started to go into his stance, he backed away and put a hand to his head after a ball flashed past his vision. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! The crowd, seeing a ball fly by, started to react as the commentators said: “Oh! What happened there?” Typically animated, Poulter sarcastically screamed “FORE!” and drew some laughs from the spectators before wandering off to the side of the course to regroup. Back at the tee box, American DeChambeau was not aware of what he almost did. One fan called out to let him know just as he was checking his clubs, getting the controversial star’s attention with a whistle. DeChambeau, four under for the round and leading at this point, looked devastated. He put his arms wide in surprise and then slouched them to his side, sighing. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS The American was gutted to realise the mistake Credit: tnt sports DeChambeau shook his head as replays show just how close the shot was to nailing Poulter flush in the face. The commentators added: “You could tell Bryson was very sorry, no one told him [Poulter was there].” Another added: “Yeah, I mean, this is no one’s fault here. It’s something you don’t see every day.” Poulter went on to address it after finishing the opening round at four below par, tied in seventh. He said: “It wasn’t his fault at all. “It just grazed the ear I think on the way past, 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 it passes your ear.” He explained: “That new tee box has gone 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 at all, it’s one of those things. “He thought he could probably see people further up once we found Jon’s [Rahm] ball and he sent one down there.” It has been a loud week for DeChambeau after he was punished at The Open for creating a better lie for his ball mid-round. He threatened to call US President Donald Trump to try and reverse the decision. As for Poulter, he paid a huge and long-standing fine to the DP World Tour for playing in LIV events. LIV used to cover the costs but now there is uncertainty over its future after Saudi Arabia‘s big-money backers pulled out. And Poulter is among those considering membership again in order to play more mainstream tournaments. Comment now