As LIV Golf faces ‘storms,’ the US Open Champ plans a new future
LIV Golf is coming to an end, and Graeme McDowell is among the experts planning another future for golf.
Ever since the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund announced it would stop supporting the renegade league after 2026, LIV Golf has been trying to build a new future. But this week at LIV Golf UK, all talk suggested it was too late for this rebel outfit.
Earlier this week, Martin Kaymer told Today’s Golfer that the LIV Golf club event in Michigan is “very unlikely to be played. Jon Rahm said he is “hopeful” LIV will have a future past 2026 but wouldn’t give a specific reason for his optimism other than he’s optimistic in nature. LIV Golf was hit again earlier in the week when the Asian Tour, which has partnered with LIV since its launch, agreed to a deal with the PGA Tour and and DP World Tour.
All of this has reportedly led to a “significant increase” in DP World Tour inquiries from LIV Golf members, according to Golf Digest’s Evin Priest, and McDowell is among those planning to return to the European circuit.
The former Ryder Cupper told the BBC that whether or not LIV Golf continues in 2027, he plans to return to the DP World Tour, which he has not played on since joining the Rebels in 2022.
“There’s no doubt there’s a headwind,” McDowell told the BBC of LIV Golf’s future. “LIV is working incredibly hard trying to bring in investment. As players, all we can do is support and have good assets. Regardless of whether LIV Golf can find a solution to continue, I will play as a European Tour player in some way, stop or have form next season, assuming the Tour still wants me and we can find that relationship.”
McDowell told the BBC he had settled his penalties for the DP World Tour in 2023 and had “productive” talks with the circuit about returning in 2027. McDowell said he plans to rejoin the DP World Tour in November to hopefully complete his comeback.
“We’ve had some good conversations this year,” McDowell told the BBC. “If LIV does something, great. If they don’t, maybe I’m a European Tour player – and we go from there. I’m lucky to have that option.”
Although LIV’s future is bleak, McDowell said he has “no regrets” about joining the burgeoning outfit. The 2010 US Open champion told the BBC he will retire before LIV Golf arrives. Although the Saudi-sponsored league extended his time, he admits that there are things he missed and faced again while qualifying for this year’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
“I missed a lot of things: the European Tour, the PGA Tour, the majors, the courses, the crowds, the camaraderie,” McDowell said.
“Coming back to Shinnecock was amazing. Seeing all the guys again, the acceptance, the camaraderie — you see how much you took for granted. I miss it all, so much.”
As for the future of LIV, Kaymer perhaps put it best. After CEO Scott O’Neil held a meeting with players on Wednesday, the two-time major champion said they “want more information” about whether LIV Golf will have investors to cover it in 2027.
“I hope, I think there is a lot of interest and it looks good. But we have all been there. If the signature is not there, it doesn’t mean anything,” Kaymer told the BBC. “If those investors decide to pull out, we won’t be playing next year at LIV Golf. And if they decide to do it, we have a chance.”
There is “opportunity,” but as McDowell noted, the “headwinds” LIV Golf is facing as it tries to make the future of 2026 past are getting stronger and stronger – and time is running out.
