LIV Golf is running out of time, and Graeme McDowell is among the pros planning for an alternative golf future.
Ever since the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund announced it would cease backing the breakaway league after 2026, LIV Golf has been trying to create a new future. But this week at LIV Golf U.K., all the talk has suggested that it’s getting late for the rebel outfit.
Earlier this week, Martin Kaymer told Today’s Golfer that the LIV Golf team event in Michigan is “highly unlikely” to be played. Jon Rahm said he was “optimistic” LIV would have a future past 2026 but wouldn’t give any specific reason for his optimism apart from saying he’s optimistic by nature. LIV Golf was dealt another blow earlier in the week when the Asian Tour, which had been a partner of LIV since its launch, agreed to a deal with the PGA Tour 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 one of those planning for a 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 hasn’t played on since he joined the rebel league in 2022.
“There’s no doubt there are headwinds,” McDowell told the BBC of LIV Golf’s future. “LIV are working incredibly hard behind the scenes trying to bring investment in. As players, all we can do is support and be good assets. Regardless of whether LIV Golf can find a solution to continue, I’ll play as a European Tour player in some way, shape or form next season, assuming the Tour still want me and we can figure that relationship out.”
McDowell told the BBC that he settled his fines with the DP World Tour in 2023 and has had “productive” talks with the circuit about a return in 2027. McDowell said he plans to meet with the DP World Tour again in November to hopefully finalize his path back.
“We’ve had good conversations this year,” McDowell told the BBC. “If LIV gets something done, great. If they don’t, then maybe I’m just a European Tour player — and we go from there. I’m lucky to have that option.”
While LIV’s future is dim, McDowell said he has “no regrets” about joining the breakaway outfit. The 2010 U.S. Open champion told the BBC that he was close to retiring before LIV Golf came along. While the formerly Saudi-backed league extended his career, he admits that there are some things he has missed that he got to re-experience when he qualified for this year’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
“I’ve missed a lot of things: the European Tour, the PGA Tour, the majors, the pathways, the crowds, the camaraderie,” McDowell said.
“Being back at Shinnecock was amazing. Seeing all the lads again, the reception, the friendships — you realize how much you took for granted. I’ve missed it all, massively.”
As for LIV’s future, Kaymer perhaps put it best. After CEO Scott O’Neil held a meeting with players on Wednesday, the two-time major champion said they were “looking for more information” on whether or not LIV Golf will have the investors to tee it up in 2027.
“Hopefully, I think there’s a lot of interest and it’s looking good. But we’ve all been there. If the signature is not there, then it doesn’t mean anything,” Kaymer told the BBC. “If those investors decide to pull out, then we don’t play next year on LIV Golf. And if they decide to do it, then we have a chance.”
There’s “a chance,” but as McDowell noted, the “headwinds” LIV Golf is facing as it tries to create a future past 2026 are strong and only getting stronger — and time is running out.
