Graeme McDowell reveals LIV decision and makes big Ryder Cup claim

As uncertainty continues to reign across just about every aspect of men’s professional golf, Graeme McDowell can at least breathe a sigh of relief that his own future is secure.  

At least for another 12 months, anyway.

The Northern Irishman is grateful that Brooks Koepka has decided to keep him on his LIV Golf side for another season, with team captains now finalising their rosters for 2025.

“It’s not been announced or anything yet, but my contract is with the lawyers right now,” McDowell revealed to bunkered.co.uk after making the cut in the Saudi PIF International in Riyadh.

“They’re having a look at it just to make sure. It looks like exactly the same contract as last year. I’ve not put pen to paper yet but I’m about to put pen to paper and I’m obviously excited that Brooks is giving me another opportunity to play for Smash next year.

“I really enjoyed myself this year. It’s a phenomenal team with Talor (Gooch) and Jason (Kokrak). Brooks is the best major player of the last ten years and he’s a world class guy to be hanging around with.”

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McDowell’s position in LIV’s ‘Open Zone’ after a year he graded a “B minus” left him vulnerable in the league’s off-season. He also suffered the ignominy of becoming the first LIV player to violate the league’s anti-doping policy in August, receiving a one-tournament ban for using a nasal spray for cold symptoms that he did not know was prohibited.

Koepka’s backing, therefore, must have come as a relief to the 45-year-old.

“For sure,” McDowell nods. “He told me middle of the year that I was in decent shape but you just never know.

“I had a bit of a speed wobble there in August with some bad cold medicine supplements which I was using. That was obviously a disappointing moment but I’m going to get my head down this year and do the best I can. I’m just excited to have another opportunity at it.”

While McDowell is plotting his own resurgence on LIV, the unlikely return of Sergio Garcia on the DP World Tour has prompted questions whether more players could follow suit. The Spaniard has revived his hopes of playing against the United States one more time by re-applying for his membership and settling all outstanding sanctions with his longtime circuit.

But for now, the record Ryder Cup points scorer is the only one making that move.

McDowell has not lost any confidence in his own ability in the recent fallow years – far from it, in fact but he won’t be re-joining as a member in 2025.

“Do I think I’m good enough to play in the Ryder Cup? In my heart, yes, I believe I am good enough,” McDowell claims. “Give me a 25-30 week schedule. Could I get my game to the point where I’m one of the top 12 players in Europe? Maybe.

“It would require a lot of grinding, travelling and commitment to playing the amount of golf required. I’m not sure I’m at a point in my life where I have the desire to do that.

“Therefore I haven’t taken my membership on the European Tour because I don’t want to take a spot away from somebody when I know I’m not going to play four or five times. Playing mediocre on LIV right now, my main focus is to compete on the LIV tour.”

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Any Ryder Cup revival for McDowell, however, would surely only come in the form of a leadership role.

Amidst reports that the Americans will be remunerated to the tune of $400,000 for playing in next September’s match, the former US Open champion has emphasised his desperation to take part, even as one of Luke Donald’s assistants on Long Island.

“I told Tyrrell Hatton a couple days ago I’d pay money to be a vice-captain at Bethpage,” he says. “I’d love to help the European Tour. I’d love to be there, support the guys and be able to give some of my experience and my knowledge to some of the young guys who might need it.

“There’s obviously plenty of guys who don’t need my help but I enjoy the leadership side of the vice-captaincy. I’ve done it twice and took it very seriously both times and enjoyed it both times.”

Ironically, the road for LIV players returning as captains and vice-captains is perhaps even more murky than for those hitting the shots. While Garcia is now eligible to compete as one of Donald’s dozen, it is still unclear whether he would be allowed to captain the team in future renewals.

So is McDowell’s vice-captaincy ambition realistic?

“Bethpage is probably a long shot because so much politically has to happen between now and then,” he admits. “Regardless of whether or not I’m in Luke’s backroom staff, I’ll be supporting them but I would jump at the chance to get that opportunity.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.