Graeme McDowell sparks mixed reaction with "hot take" over latest LIV signing

Graeme McDowell has sparked a war of words among golf fans with his "hot take" over LIV's latest acquisition. 

American youngster, Michael La Sasso, became LIV's sixth signing of the offseason on 20 January. 

The 21-year-old will now be mentored by multiple major champion Phil Mickelson as part of the HyFlyers quartet. 

La Sasso, the reigning NCAA Division I Men's Individual champion, has also forfeited his tee time at the 2026 Masters by turning pro and joining LIV. 

McDowell, who was among the first wave of players to be recruited by the PIF-backed breakaway in June 2022, saw the move as a positive. 

As far as the Irishman sees it, LIV is now a "legitimate pathway for young potential superstars who can get paid to be mentored in their young careers by Tour greats and play a guaranteed schedule". 

McDowell also claimed the road to the PGA Tour is becoming "increasingly perilous and littered with great talent that never made it". 

His self-confessed "hot take" certainly drew a mixed reaction. 

Current PGA Tour member Michael Kim was among those to disagree with the former U.S. Open champion, explaining that the circuit is "one of the purest meritocracies in sport". 

"If you never made it, you just weren't good enough," he said. 

McDowell admitted the PGA Tour is currently the most complete place to play golf right now. 

"My point is that it is also becoming increasingly a closed shop, like LIV, with harder and narrower pathways to get there" he added. 

"Getting there is arguably harder than staying there and golf is one of the few sports in the world in which the best young talents are not guaranteed their shot on the big stage. 

"Pathways will always be important and LIV is providing a very interesting and compelling opportunity for the next gen player. 

"Cash in their pocket and a chance to compete at a high level in my humble opinion."

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