It is not very common for PGA Tour golfers to move to Greg Norman‘s LIV golf. Regardless of the unique circumstances and motivations influencing each pro’s decision, the bottom line often revolves around financial considerations. A similar incident occurred when Graeme McDowell disclosed his move to LIV Golf.
McDowell openly declared his pursuit of financial opportunities across the globe while competing on the PGA Tour. Despite the clarity regarding his decision, G-mac’s decision lacked substantial explanation. However, in a recent podcast on Subpar, Chris DiMarco, a three-time PGA Tour winner and a former colleague and friend of McDowell, unveils the decision made by the 44-year-old pro in 2022.
What factors led Graeme McDowell to make the move?
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DiMarco and McDowell encountered each other at the old Memorial, during which McDowell disclosed that he “went up to the” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and said he loves to “tour” but at the same time, he was “struggling to keep” his tour card. This might indicate the financial hardships the 44-year-old has endured, even to keep the minimum cut.
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The financial challenges within the PGA Tour became apparent as McDowell continued with “these guys are off me on all this money and all these tournaments and less golf.” The pro potentially indicated that he was having a hard time with his performance and finances. Meanwhile, it wasn’t the same for the younger players. This forced McDowell to move, and the pro concluded with “I’m sorry, I’m going” indicating that this decision was the most favorable for him during that time.
Who else has made the move?
The decision to move because of financial struggles isn’t only limited to McDowell. Bryson DeChambeau also made a similar decision, as he was offered more than $120 million when decided to move to LIV golf. But still, McDowell received a lot of resentment towards this decision compared to other pros.
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If this continues, it may pose significant challenges for the PGA Tour in the future. However, what are your opinions on the choices made by these pros? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!