(Reuters) – Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell said the consequences of joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series are “concerning” and “scary” but he hopes that the breakaway circuit’s plan works out.
McDowell was named in the 48-player field alongside former world number one Dustin Johnson and past major champion Sergio Garcia for the circuit’s opening event, scheduled for June 9-11 at the Centurion Club outside London.
Both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour recently declined all requests from members who had asked for releases to compete at Centurion, where $25 million is up for grabs, including $4 million for the winner.
It is unknown whether those competing in the breakaway circuit’s first event, which is being held at the same time as the PGA Tour’s Canadian Open, will face punishment.
“The perceived consequences are definitely concerning,” said McDowell, who will play in the Asian Tour’s International Series England event at Slaley Hall, Newcastle from Thursday.
“But as players, we just ask ourselves the question, if we do get banned from the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, for example, is that good for the sport of golf?
“I believe it is not good for the game and I really feel what the guys at LIV have done is they’ve tried to create a schedule, which especially fits around the PGA Tour.”
LIV CEO Greg Norman said the series was prepared to reimburse players who were fined and had legal injunctions ready to go if they were sanctioned or banned.
“It (the series) is designed to co-exist with the other tours in the world and let’s just hope that it all works out,” McDowell added.
“The unknowns are a little scary, but I am sure it’s weighed into the decision of every player that’s decided to take the leap. And we just hope that the right decision will be made.”
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)
