Graeme McDowell, a former major winner, is hoping for a comeback in 2024 after joining Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC in the LIV Golf League, following a disappointing performance in the previous season where he finished 42nd in the standings.
At Glance
‣ Graeme McDowell is joining Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC in the LIV Golf League for the 2024 season, after not having his contract renewed with Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks GC.
‣ Despite a lackluster performance in recent years, McDowell remains confident in his abilities and believes the pressure of playing alongside Koepka will help improve his game.
‣ McDowell was disappointed that his previous team did not offer him a second opportunity, but is excited about his new position and believes it could lead to a comeback season.
‣ The Northern Irish golfer has been in contact with Koepka’s caddie, Ricky Elliott, who he believes played a role in securing his new contract with Smash GC.
Graeme McDowell is eyeing 2024 as his ‘comeback season’. He’s just signed a deal to join Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC in the LIV Golf League. McDowell’s two-year contract with Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks GC wasn’t renewed after the recent LIV campaign. He ended up 42nd in the standings, without a top-10 result in 13 events.
In the inaugural LIV campaign, McDowell played all eight events. The 44-year-old only managed two top-20 results and a best finish of 12th. But, he’s ready to leave that forgettable start behind. The 2010 US Open winner is keen to prove his worth to Koepka.
McDowell told LIV Golf, “I know what I’m still capable of. I’ve been playing great the last few months. I’m just missing that little bit of X factor.” He believes that X factor will come from the pressure of trying to keep up with Koepka. He’s hoping that Koepka’s intensity and mentality will push him to produce the golf he knows he’s capable of.
McDowell, a former Major winner and key part of several Ryder Cup victories for Team Europe, has struggled since the beginning of 2017. His form hasn’t been what he’d hoped for, missing around 50% of all cuts on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. But, he insists he still has what it takes to compete at the top. He thinks having a five-time Major winner like Koepka in his corner will only help.
“Having a chance to go and chase him every day, I think that’s just what I need in my career. I need that extra motivation, that extra little bit of pressure,” McDowell said. He’s looking forward to learning from Koepka and is excited about the potential for Smash GC to have a massive year.
“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,” he added. Once World No.4, McDowell admitted his form in 2023 wasn’t good enough. He was “disappointed” his old team didn’t give him a second chance.
But, after talking to Koepka’s long-term caddie, Ricky Elliott, he was relieved to find a back-up plan. “It’s been a difficult time the last couple of months, obviously being out of contract and looking at the rankings, doing the math and realizing 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 said.
He’s grateful for the respect he’s received from guys like Brooks. He didn’t want to put Ricky in a tough situation with Brooks, but he did drop a few hints over beers. “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,” he concluded.
