LIV Golf Doping Breach: Brooks Koepka in Tight Spot as Banning of Graeme McDowell Crushes $3M Hopes

Dreadful news for golf lovers. Especially the ones that wholeheartedly follow LIV Golf. Brooks Koepka’s team will be incomplete at the 2024 LIV Greenbrier. Yes, you heard that right! Graeme McDowell, who is a part of Brooks Koepka’s Smashers GC team, will not be teeing up for the upcoming LIV tournament. But why? Well, the reason is a bit controversial.

Surprisingly, the whole thing took place during the last LIV event. The golfer shared an update on his Instagram saying, “During LIV Golf Nashville, I was selected for a random test as part of the league’s anti-doping program. I had mistakenly used an over-the-counter medicated decongestant stick for congestion that included a banned substance, resulting in a positive test.” The honest mistake resulted in a positive test; however, McDowell took full responsibility for his actions.

“I take full responsibility and have accepted the sanctions from LIV Golf, including the suspension from Greenbrier,”  the caption continued. The golfer was remorseful for his action, and it clearly showed in his words. But the suspension does not look good for the Smashers and especially their leader, Koepka, as the $3 million team prize money could potentially remain a dream. This is a major setback for the team, as all their plans and strategies are now of no use as one of the pillars of their team, McDowell, will not be playing anymore.

Although this experience has been challenging, the four-time PGA winner understands the importance of rules and integrity. “This has been a tough learning experience, but I understand the importance of maintaining the integrity of our sport.”  But does this suspension mean that the golfer will not be playing the whole LIV season? Well, no, but that could’ve been a nightmare for the fans and the golfer himself.

Golf enthusiasts can rest assured that their favorite will be returning to LIV Golf Chicago next month wherein the Individual Championship will be held. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the course with my teammates at LIV Golf Chicago,” wrote the golfer. LIV Golf Chicago will be taking off on September 13 and will conclude on September 15 at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Bolingbrook, IL. 

This strict decision on the part of LIV Golf compels one to think about LIV’s doping policy in general, right?

LIV Golf’s doping policy

One thing that is assured after this is that LIV’s doping policy is strict. McDowell used a decongestant medicine containing the banned substance R-methamphetamine which led to his suspension. “LIV’s Anti-Doping Policy is designed to be thorough and transparent. Unlike some other tours, LIV enforces these rules rigorously, which made this situation particularly challenging for me,” wrote the golfer on X giving more insight into the policy.

In addition to missing the tournament, McDowell will also face a significant financial penalty. He will be required to pay a fine of $125,000, according to the LIV Golf website. Furthermore, McDowell’s and his team’s results from LIV Golf Nashville will be disqualified. This means that any points, prize money, or recognition he and the Smasher GC earned during that tournament will be retroactively removed.

With a winless year so far and not playing in the LIV Greenbrier, the golfer would have to improve his gameplay for the next tournament as the 2024 LIV season is coming to an end. The Smashers will miss their star player in the upcoming event for sure, and the fans will be awaiting McDowell’s replacement news. Who do you think should be replacing McDowell for the Greenbrier? Let us know in the comment section.