In 2022, Graeme McDowell transitioned from the PGA Tour to the LIV Golf league. The 45-year-old competes for Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC, alongside teammates Talor Gooch and Jason Kokrak.
After a series of legal disputes in 2022, the league based in Saudi Arabia implemented new regulations for its players. An anti-doping initiative was established to enhance the health of the golfers and ensure equitable competition. Under the newly instituted regulations, any breach of the policy may lead to various repercussions, including:
* Disqualification of previous results
* Bans – first offence can lead to a ban for the next three tournaments, repeat offences are subject to firmer bans
* Fines – players found guilty must re-pay their prize money – individual or team – from all their previous events which also leads to disqualification of results
* Publication of offence
McDowell has been deemed guilty of breaching the anti-doping regulations and will face a suspension for the upcoming event in Greenbrier, along with a hefty fine of $125,000. This infraction took place during the 2024 LIV Golf Invitational in Nashville, where the ex-PGA Tour player ingested a decongestant known as R-methamphetamine (levo-methamphetamine), which is classified as a prohibited substance.
Consequently, both McDowell’s personal results and those of Smash GC have been rendered invalid due to the offense. Since he will be absent from the Greenbrier event scheduled for August 16 to 18, a substitute player will take his place.
Graeme McDowell has been fined $125k and suspended for 1 event for violating the LIV Golf League’s anti-doping rules at LIV Golf Nashville. Smash GC’s team points and prize money from the event have been redistributed. A reserve player will take his spot at Greenbrier. https://t.co/Y7GBZdkNFD
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) August 11, 2024
Graeme McDowell 2024 LIV Golf Results
Following a suspension for violating LIV
Thanks to golf’s anti-doping policy, Graeme McDowell is set to compete next at the LIV Golf Invitational in Chicago from September 13-15. Before his ban, he participated in 11 events and currently holds the 23rd position on the individual leaderboard, having accumulated 35.75 points.
Here’s a look at Graeme McDowell’s finishes on the LIV Golf league so far this year:
LIV Golf Invitational – Mayakoba: 43rd place (0 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – Las Vegas: 5th place (14.33 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – Jeddah: 31st place (0 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – Hong Kong: 8th place (8.42 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – Miami: 29th place (0 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – Adelaide: 46th place (0 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – Singapore: 37th place (0 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – Houston: 6th place (13 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – Nashville: 42nd place (0 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – Andalucia: 42nd place (0 points)
LIV Golf Invitational – United Kingdom: 29th place (0 points)
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