Graeme McDowell has opened up about his absence from Europe’s Ryder Cup setup, admitting he “misses the culture” of the competition but understands why he and other LIV Golf players have been overlooked.
The Northern Irishman, a key figure in four Ryder Cups between 2008 and 2014, played an instrumental role in Europe’s victories in 2010, 2012, and 2014. He collected nine points from 15 matches, finishing with an impressive 60 percent win record.
McDowell later served as a vice-captain under Thomas Bjorn in 2018 and Padraig Harrington in 2021, but since joining LIV Golf three years ago, he has been frozen out of European team involvement. That exclusion extends to this year’s contest at Bethpage Black, where Luke Donald once again opted against adding LIV players such as McDowell, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, or Lee Westwood to his backroom staff.
Speaking to Smylie Kaufman, McDowell admitted the decision makes sense.
“I miss it. I miss being part of that ecosystem, being part of the Ryder Cup culture,” he said. “But it wouldn’t make sense to have me, Poulter, or Westwood in the team room now. We just don’t spend enough time with the current players anymore.
On LIV, we don’t really play the European Tour, and the Ryder Cup demands trust and close communication. The players need to know you’re there with them week in and week out.”
Despite the snub, McDowell harbors no bitterness. He acknowledged that while his experience could add value, presence and familiarity with the squad are equally vital.
He reflected fondly on his two stints as vice-captain, though he admitted nothing compares to actually competing. Recalling the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National, McDowell revealed both he and Matt Kuchar felt they were missing out on a course perfectly suited to their strengths.
“It was surreal being on the sidelines,” he recalled. “Kuchar and I looked at each other and said, ‘This would’ve been our kind of golf course.’ I’d won two French Opens there, and he had played really well too. We both felt we could have had a great battle.”
While McDowell remains proud of his Ryder Cup history, his comments underline the widening gulf between LIV golfers and traditional team competition—a divide that shows little sign of healing anytime soon.
