It was 25th July, 2019 when it was announced Ireland and the famed Adare Manor club outside of Limerick had been chosen to play host to the 2027 Ryder Cup.
One of the first thoughts following this news was that Ireland’s own Graeme McDowell would be an ideal European Team Captain for the 46th staging of the biennial competition.
McDowell is a US Open winner, he made his Ryder Cup debut in 2008, he is a veteran of four European Ryder Cup sides, including three victorious teams in succession from 2010 to 2014, and he also put his name into Ryder Cup history holing the winning putt to deliver Europe victory in 2010 at Celtic Manor.
Graeme McDowell now hoping there may still be a DP World Tour door open to him. Image – GolfByTourMiss
As well, he also was a vice captain in 2018 and 2021, so it seemed to be the ideal move.
Alas, in 2022 men’s pro golf was rocked with the formation of LIV Golf.
McDowell, and also a winner of 11 DP World Tour events, was one of those who signed with the breakaway league, a move that drew much unnecessary criticism in the proud Irishman’s direction.
A year later, and on the first day of the 2023 Masters the then DP World CEO Keith Pelley announced in speaking with Sky Sports that following the three-man Sports Resolutions arbitration panel dismissing the appeal of 12 LIV players and left them ordered to pay £100,000 fines within 30 days so much so that the likes of LIV stars McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer cannot be picked for then Luke Donald’s European 2024 side.
And when mentioned to Pelley surely that would change on them leaving LIV Golf and rejoining the DP World Tour though Pelley remarked: “I don’t think that is necessarily the case.
“Last year, we lost three potential captains in Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer when they fell out of membership by not meeting the minimum requirement according to our tournament regulations.
“Even though you are an honorary member, if you don’t meet your minimum requirement, you are no longer eligible to be captain or vice-captain. Whether that happens with some of these players down the road, that is their choice“.
GolfByTourMiss spoke one-to-one with G Mac in December 2024 at the PIF Saudi International and saying he prayed that ‘something would change’ so that he could be a part of the team heading to Adare Manor.
At the time, however, it seemed a forlorn quest and G Mac resigning himself not being being at Adare Manor.
“I’ve had that conversation with myself and I’ve made my peace with it a little bit“, he said. “I had visualized myself standing up there at the opening ceremony at Adare Manor and introducing my European Team.
“It would be the greatest moment in my golfing life but it probably won’t happen now. It is what it is and I am not going to lose any sleep over it.
“I pray that something will change so that I can be there at Adare Manor in some capacity with the European Ryder Cup team but I doubt if that will happen now.
’I’d love to be in the team room. I loved to be in the team room as a vice-captain.“
Now we are learning McDowell has been encouraged by the offer accepted last month by eight other LIV golfers to rejoin the DP World Tour under specific conditions.
G Mac speaking with GolfByTourMiss at 2024 PIF International in Saudi Arabia.
And although his lengthy absence excludes him from any Ryder Cup involvement at Adare Manor next year, the four-time Team Europe player and two-time vice-captain has not given up hope.
McDowell, who is keen to play the Irish Open and Dunhill Links, said to BBC Northern Ireland: “There is a May date where you can approach the Tour and ask for a membership, which is at the discretion of the CEO.
“At that point I’d ask them what they’d want me to do, how many events that might look like, and see if that is a workload that I’m willing to take.
“Clearly I miss the Irish Open, I miss being able to play a few of those events in September and October like the Dunhill Links, events that I care about a lot, so I’ll certainly ask the question and see what that looks like for me.
“I’d love to have the conversation with the DP World about the opportunity to go to Ireland and play with Rory McIlroy and Shane (Lowry) – that’s definitely something I miss.
G Mac says he’s missing playing alongside Rory McIlroy. Image Getty
“If others can return, then perhaps there’s a path for me too.
“Even if I was able to take my membership, I would still fall short of the rules that I haven’t been a continuing member of the DP World Tour now for the last three years, so I do fall short of that regulation, which I understand.
“The rule has been around for a long time and that would have to change to open up that door for me to have the opportunity, but I obviously would be open to do what I could to be at Adare Manor next year.
“I understand bringing LIV players creates negative narratives that we don’t want and need there, but if the door is open I would do anything to support the team.
“I’m happy with what I’m doing and I understand the reasons why the Ryder Cup may not happen in any shape or form. I’ve made my peace with that a little bit
“Of course I am disappointed, we are where we are. It’s just politically, I can’t believe four years later we’re still here, we’re still at such a contentious point when for the fans at home we need to bring the game back together in some way, shape or form. I think it’s the right thing for the game.”
Certainly no argument here, G Mac.
Though it may require a little more praying.
