Graeme McDowell insists he still has a lot to offer after he was handed a LIV lifeline by Smash GC captain, Brooks Koepka ahead of the 2024 season.
McDowell was out of contract with Cleeks GC after his two-year deal on the Saudi backed tour expired. It was a period of struggle that saw him register just one top-10 finish with LIV in that timeframe, although he did amass over €5 million in earnings.
The 2010 US Open champion hasn’t won on tour since the 2020 Saudi International when it was a DP World Tour event but has been saved from a season on the Asian Tour by his pal Koepka whose caddie Ricky Elliott also hails from Portrush and his close to G Mac.
“I know what I’m still capable of,” McDowell told LIV Golf after finishing 2023 with three successive top 14 finishes in Asia.
“I really feel like I’ve started to play great the last few months and I’m just missing that little bit of X factor – and I feel like the X factor’s going to come from the pressure of trying to hang with a guy like Brooks Koepka, who’s one of the best players in the world, the intensity and the mentality that he brings.
“I think it’s just what I need for myself to see if I can produce the golf that I know I’m still capable of.
“I’m hoping ’24 is going to be the comeback season for me. Compete, try and win an event or two. Like I say, perfect timing for me right now.”
McDowell replaces Koepka’s brother Chase, who was one of four LIV golfers relegated at the end of last season after he finished the season ranked 45th or below in the individual standings.
The Portrush man himself was treading water, finishing 42nd and in the ‘Open Zone’ which made him a free agent. Facing an uncertain winter, he asked Elliott to put in a good word with his five-time major winning player.
“It’s been a difficult time the last couple of months, obviously being out of contract and looking at the rankings and doing the math and realising there wasn’t really going to be a lot of open opportunities and open slots within LIV for me to be able to slot into,” McDowell continued.
“Being able to have relationships and have respect levels from guys like Brooks was really, really important.
“I was disappointed that the Cleeks wanted to move in a different direction, didn’t want to pick me up. But I guess sometimes things happen for a reason. I couldn’t be happier than I am right now.”
“I obviously didn’t want to put Ricky in a tough situation with Brooks and kind of be an advocate for me coming to Smash next year.
“But certainly there were plenty of whispers in the ears over a few beers, trying to kind of say, ‘Hey, listen, how cool would this be? Can you put a good word in for me with the chief?’”
The 44-year-old hopes he can prove to be a worthy member of Koepka’s stable and claim some indidivual silverware himself.
“He likes great competitors,” McDowell said. “I think that’s why we’ve always had a little bit of mutual respect for each other. He sees a little bit of himself in me and vice-versa.
“I feel like I bring that little bit of experience and that little bit of grit and determination and hopefully can help Brooks carry some of the load and carry some of the water and give him the opportunity just to go and be the best he can be.
“Help him handle some of the team logistics and the team media stuff and whatever it is he needs me to be, I’m certainly ready and willing to be that guy for him.
“And obviously first and foremost, play as hard as I can and see if I can go and be competitive next season and win a tournament.”
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