Graeme McDowell is finally dropping the 'growing the game' script. He reveals the financial reality behind his LIV Golf move.

Speaking at Trump National D.C. ahead of this week's LIV Golf Virginia event, the 2010 U.S. Open champion was direct about why he signed up in 2022.

"I regret a few things I said in the beginning," McDowell said. "Stuff like growing the game. I should have just said it for what it was: this is good for my bank account, and I'm getting a runway to play the game of golf for as long as I possibly can."

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has since stepped away from funding LIV, McDowell said, blindsiding players three weeks ago while he was preparing for the Mexico City event. The tour's future is now an open question.

"I don't know where this is going to go," he said. "There are a lot of players out here that, if this goes away, they've got nowhere to go."

McDowell said LIV Golf spent heavily early on, with prize money rising from $25 million in 2022 to $30 million this season. He noted that one Louisiana event was removed last week and that he would accept a smaller tour if it helps it survive.

"At the beginning, no doubt, there was a lot of excess," McDowell said. "The complacency that can come with that is just embarrassing."

He said LIV Golf’s Saudi ties drew heavy criticism, more than other PIF-backed sports, adding that he received threats and his family faced abuse. Now, with PIF stepping back, he hopes the tour can attract American investors and move past that image.

Graeme McDowell's Regret Puts a Spotlight on Where LIV Players Go From Here

McDowell isn't the only one weighing what comes next. American professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau plans to prioritize growing his YouTube channel if LIV Golf fails, rather than focusing on a return to the PGA Tour.

"I'd love to grow my YouTube channel three times, maybe even more," DeChambeau said. "And then I'd love to play tournaments that want me."

LIV CEO Scott O'Neil met players Tuesday night after outlining what McDowell called a confident but vague vision. McDowell added that O'Neil now has room to build LIV into a commercially viable tour.

"We all knew we were going to have to stand on our own two feet at some point," McDowell said. "We try to make this into a legit business."

It points to a shift from heavy early spending to building a more structured, commercially viable operation.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav