Dumped LIV Golf star discusses his return as Graeme McDowell weighs in on his return

Andy Ogletree has been dropped from the LIV Golf setup after finishing last at Centurion in the summer last year, but an impressive season on the Asia tour means he is close to a return.

Andy Ogletree has revealed he has spoken to a group of LIV Golf teams, with the American star set to make a permanent return after initially being kicked off the tour after just one event.

Ogletree has been a participant in the Asian Tour’s International Series so far this year and that should earn him a return to the LIV  in 2024. The American will play the Open in Hong Kong  this week with all-but confirmed the return of the Saudi championship and ahead of the event discussed His future.

Revealing that he has  been in contact with several of LIV Golf’s 12 teams, Ogletree said: “I’ve been chatting to a few different teams, so I’m trying to figure out which one is right for me.

“And my conversations are mostly about the team I’m about to join and not about the movement of things. You know, this is a really exciting time for me and that’s going to was a very important decision for me.

“I hope I will be on this team for a long time. I see this as a college golf option.
Which team do you want to join?” Which team do you see yourself belonging to and which team gives you the best opportunity to play your best golf? It’s extremely interesting. I’ve  been really busy these past few weeks, even though I’m trying to win a golf tournament. “

Ogletree is no stranger to the LIV structure as he was invited to compete in the first breakaway circuit event at Centurion Club in June 2022. Things didn’t go as planned for the former United States Amateur champion, after finishing a three-day final that saw him removed from the team for future events.

Amid his impressive form in 2023, Ogletree served as injured reserve during throughout the campaign along with its commitments in the international series. This time, he will have the  support of a team throughout the season, and the American is more  aware of the importance of the decision that awaits him.

“You have to look at things from a very broad perspective, you have to look at how the team moves and how they stay and what the team is given from a physiotherapy point of view and from a training point of view about health,” he said. “It was a big decision.
And while I’d say  it’s easy to just focus on a golf tournament, it’s not as easy as it sometimes seems. But I try to do my best  and  take it one day at a time. ” I start the course and  try to switch off from everything else.

“One man who praised Ogletree’s resilience was LIV star Graeme McDowell, who helped him achieve more success, this time on the breakaway.

Speaking to the media, McDowell said: “He’s had enough exposure to  [LIV Golf] this year and given the few opportunities he’s had, he’s taken them. I think he’ll do very well next year. I spent a lot time with him this week, maybe I got to know him  more this week. I like his attitude. He is a hard worker.”