Graeme McDowell has always been one of the more listened to golfers.
Ever since he burst onto the DP World Tour winning a first event at just his fourth event at the Scandinavian Masters, McDowell’s been a golfer that when he talks most listen.
I quickly learned this in just McDowell’s fourth DP World Tour on route to him capturing the 2004 Scandinavian Masters in Malmo, Sweden.
I was then writing for three Irish newspapers, so a McDowell victory was back page news in all three.
When G Mac talked, you listended and you reported. I don’t think there would have been a time when engaged with McDowell in formal conversation, a story did not emerge.
In fact, I was fortunate to be in attendance at most of his wins, including back-to-win victories in 2008 at the Ballantines Championship in South Korea and his tremendous success at the Barclays Scottish Open, as well as being there for his closing three wins on the DP World Tour, including a stunning victory alongside the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia.
Though I’ll never forget the memories of being present along the Pacific Ocean shoreline at Pebble Beach on Father’s Day 2010, and with his proud father Kenny in attendace, when G Mac held off a fast-finishing Tiger Woods to capture the US Open.
WHEN G MAC TALKED, I LISTENED & STILL DO ….
G Mac @Graeme_McDowell declaring @PGATOUR becoming an increasing closed shop, so that @livgolf_league provides a compelling opportunity
Read: https://t.co/tU53V0o5Gg
✅ @TOURMISS @Record_Sport (Bernie ) pic.twitter.com/sndOUeJ1i7
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) January 23, 2026
So, when G Mac spoke this week of the risks facing potential young superstars’ in finding a door opening on their career it very much raised my interest.
In fact, the now 46-year-old was being asked his thoughts on reigning NCAA men’s golf champion Michael La Sasso, a member of last year’s winning USA Walker Cup side, becoming the newest LIV Golf signing, forgoing his senior season at university and also missing a chance to play in this year’s Masters.
LIV Golf announced Tuesday that La Sasso, who turns 22 in March, signed with the Phil Mickelson-led HyFlyers GC,
G Mac was asked his thoughts on La Sasso’s potential and his decision in becoming a fellow LIV Golf member.
“Hot take, but LIV is 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 said in HITC.
“The road to the PGA Tour is increasingly perilous and littered with great talent that never made it”.
G Mac clarified this comment saying: “No disputing from me that the PGA Tour is the most complete tour in the world to play golf right now.
“My point is that it is also increasingly becoming a closed shop, like LIV, with harder and narrower pathways to get there.
“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.”
G Mac is not wrong as getting harder it is.
The PGA announced ahead of the 2026 season another significant decision is the change in the eligibility system for full membership. Until now, the top 125 players in the FedExCup retained full Tour status for the following season; from 2026, only the top 100 will retain that status. This may translate into tighter competition to retain the card and gives greater competitive weight to each point in the rankings.
As well, In line with the reduction in full-status players, the maximum sizes of tournament fields have also been adjusted. Most events will go from a maximum of 156 players to 144, with some tournaments having even lower limits due to logistical or natural light issues. This will surely influence the dynamics of competition and the strategy with which players approach the start of the season.
As well, there’s talk the PGA Tour wants to delay the start of every new season to a week after the Super Bowl that since 2022 has being always held on the second Sunday in February.
If that was the case this year, the opening five 2026 PGA Tour events would need to source another date.
