LIV Golf's Graeme McDowell makes Tiger Woods claim

LIV Golf's Graeme McDowell believes the men's professional game is at its most pivotal moment since Tiger Woods burst onto the scene.

Ben Smith

25 Jul 2023

LIV Golf's Graeme McDowell makes Tiger Woods claim

LIV Golf's Graeme McDowell believes the men's professional game is at its most pivotal moment since Tiger Woods arrived on the scene in 1996.

Speaking to Dakich, McDowell said we're now at a 'watershed moment'. "Hopefully this game goes to the next level," he said.

McDowell is likely right here. The final major of the year concluded on Sunday with Brian Harman lifting the claret jug after a truly dominant performance at the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool.

Largely, talk of the PGA Tour's deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund was brushed aside as the elite players took to the links.

But what comes next? McDowell, like the rest of us, hasn't got the answers - only questions.

He explained:

"I look at the last 18 months, it’s been incredibly impactful, and there’s been a huge amount of negativity in our sport, but there’s also probably never been so many eyeballs on our sport either.

"We're potentially at one of the most-pivotal moments in our sport since Tiger Woods, in 1996, the greatest player of all time, who transcended our sport, came onto the scene.”

"We're at a new watershed moment where, hopefully, this game goes to the next level."

McDowell didn't qualify for the 151st Open. His next event will be when LIV Golf heads to The Old White Course, White Sulphur Springs in Virginia.

Before the Open, McDowell opened up to reporters about what life has been like on a personal level over the last 12 months.

He said: "It was a bumpy start, it was difficult for us personally, especially being a British-Irish player in London and all the controversy and scrutiny we were under.

"It was difficult. I felt like I struggled with it for months and it took me a while to settle in."

McDowell's latest comments arrive after what could be described as a groundbreaking moment transpired at Royal Liverpool.

Per a report by Telegraph Sport, LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and key associate Amanda Staveley met with the R&A chief executive, Martin Slumbers, in secret at Royal Liverpool as the final round was unfolding.

Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the PIF, and Staveley were swept in unnoticed.

It is not known what they discussed but before the championship Slumbers hinted the R&A would be willing to accept investment from the Saudis.

"The world has changed," he said.

| Graeme McDowell has hit back at the harsh comments Sir Nick Faldo made about LIV Golf before the British Masters, saying the Hall of Famer 'doesn't know what he's talking about'.
More at the link. pic.twitter.com/2WZyis1jXA
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 29, 2023

Even if nothing were to transpire of the meeting, it marked a considerable shift in attitude from the governing body of the major.

Last year LIV Golf supremo Greg Norman was persona non grata at St. Andrews.

Norman was refused entry into events marking the 150th anniversary of the major.

He later described their actions as 'petty'. At the time, the R&A released a statement which read:

"The 150th Open is an extremely important milestone for golf and we want to ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the Championship and its heritage.

"Unfortunately, we do not believe that would be the case if Greg were to attend.

"We hope that when circumstances allow Greg will be able to attend again in future."

Norman wasn't at the Open and neither was Woods. The 47-year-old is still recuperating from his latest surgery after the 87th Masters.

Woods is yet to comment publicly on the PGA Tour's deal with the PIF.

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