Golf fans furiously debate Graeme McDowell's 'eke out a living' comment

Graeme McDowell has caused a stir among golf fans with his reaction to a news aggregator that shared his recent comments on his European Ryder Cup captaincy aspirations. 

The LIV Golf man told bunkered he would love nothing more than to succeed Luke Donald and lead the blue and gold when the matches head to his home country in 2027.

The biennial clash between Europe and the United States will take place at Adare Manor and, before joining LIV, McDowell had been considered a near certainty to lead the team.

But given his ties to the PIF-backed league and the fact he is no longer a member of the DP World Tour, he knows it might not be possible and the odds are firmly stacked against him. 

Conversations would need to take place with Ryder Cup Europe, he said, adding that he didn't want to be presumptuous about his chances. 

McDowell previously said he would make the coffees just to be involved again. 

He also had some thoughts on the divide at the top of the men's game. 

A deal between the PGA Tour and LIV's financiers appears dead in the water, despite optimism at the beginning of the year there could finally be a resolution to end the split. 

McDowell was among the first wave of recruits to join LIV in 2022 and, as far as he is concerned, he is not to blame for the hostilities.

"The divisiveness has come from the best players in the world," McDowell told bunkered. 

"It hasn't came from the 40-somethings like myself that are just trying to eke out a living and staying competitive on an opportunity that was presented to us, which would have been crazy to say no to from a business point of view."

McDowell's "eke out a living" comment was jumped on by several golf fans on X, with many accusing the golfer of being tone-deaf. 

How much McDowell was paid to join LIV is not public information, but it is widely assumed to be in the millions. 

What we do know is that his entire on-course earnings since joining LIV exceed $12m. 

He also won more than $19m in prize money on the PGA Tour. 

"I'm not sure G-Mac's version of 'eke out a living' would square with most other people's," one replied. 

Another asked: "Was he being serious?"

This person wrote: "I really like G-Mac, but saying taking the LIV bag was to 'eke out a living' is disingenuous and insulting to the many tour pros who legitimately are struggling."

McDowell has now taken the time to respond to the comment after it was shared by X account NUCLR Golf. 

The Irishman accused the account of "clickbait at its finest". 

"The article is about what it would mean to me to be the Ryder Cup captain in Ireland in 2027," he wrote on X. 

"Misquoted regards "ekeing out a living". Supposed to read "ekeing out the last few years of my playing career". 

"I've been incredibly fortunate and if it was all done tomorrow all I would have is gratitude. That's all."

bunkered strenuously deny misquoting McDowell, insisting there is an audio recording of their interview. 

McDowell pens new LIV Golf deal

Elsewhere, LIV Golf's offseason opened earlier in the week. 

It means that teams in the league are able to trade players and make new signings before the 2026 season begins next February. 

McDowell played the first season on LIV as a member of Martin Kaymer's Cleeks quartet but appeared to clash with the German. 

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka snapped up McDowell and the Irishman finished the 2025 season in the 'Open Zone'. 

It meant a captain like Koepka was able to sign another player in McDowell's place. 

bunkered have reported McDowell has agreed an extension and will be back in 2026.

LIV are hoping to extend a number of contracts over the next few months. 

Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and the aforementioned Koepka are yet to announce new deals.

FlushingIt reported last week that Johnson has already put pen to paper.