LIV Golf star open to playing DP World Tour again

A major champion who plies his trade on LIV Golf has admitted he is hopeful for a return to the DP World Tour.

Former U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell has insisted he is open to playing on his old tour again, even if that means paying his own fines.

After securing a move to Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC, the Northern Irishman will not take up DP World Tour membership for the 2024 season.

Instead, McDowell will pause his membership as he aims to repair the relationship with his former stomping ground.

He said: “As we move into the future, I’ll be hoping to repair my relationship, whether that means pay my fines or there’s some relationship merger or common ground we can find.

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“I hope that in the future I can play golf on the DP World Tour again. I’ve served my time and supported that tour for many years and have a few years of exemption left and hope to play again.

“It may never happen, who knows, but as I say I’m hopeful for some resolution to this and we’ll see where the golf world takes us.”

The 11-time DP World Tour winner jumped ship to the Greg Norman-fronted circuit for its inaugural season in 2022.

McDowell, who signed a two-year deal with Cleeks GC, was signed up by Koepka yesterday as his contract with Martin Kaymer’s side had expired.

He estimates his DP World Tour fines total around £1.2 million but remains interested in supporting events like the Irish Open.

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The former World No. 4 added: “I maintained my membership this year, getting fined, a lot of sanctions posed against me which I understand.

“They’re a little heavy perhaps, but LIV have said they’re going to take care of us on that front.

“I hope the game of golf heals and everyone can get back on the same page again. It’s important for the fans and the game that this fracturing, we figure it out.”

McDowell would be hoping to follow former Cleeks teammate Bernd Wiesberger who announced his return to the DP World Tour last week.

The Austrian will have category 11 membership for the 2024 season after LIV Golf paid fines up to £1.5 million for his return.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.