Graeme McDowell shows true colours amid uncertain LIV Golf future after drug ban.

Graeme McDowell sat out this past weekend’s LIV Golf Greenbrier tournament after he was given a one-tournament ban for breaching the league’s anti-doping rules.

Graeme McDowell showed his support for his LIV Golf team Smash GC on Sunday as they and team captain Brooks Koepka romped to victory, despite the Northern Irishman missing the event.

McDowell, aged 45, was compelled to withdraw from the tournament at The Greenbrier due to a breach of the breakaway league’s anti-doping regulations. During a test conducted at LIV’s event in Nashville in June, McDowell was found to have R-methamphetamine (levo-methamphetamine), a prohibited substance, present in his system.

McDowell attributed the positive test result to an over-the-counter decongestant; however, LIV imposed strict penalties on the former Ryder Cup participant, suspending him from one event, levying a fine of £98,000, and disqualifying both him and Smash from the Nashville results, which resulted in the forfeiture of his prize money.

He was replaced by stand-in John Catlin for the tournament in West Virginia and McDowell’s absence did not hold the team back. All four members were in fine form, with Koepka taking the £3.1million title after defeating Jon Rahm in a playoff, with Jason Kokrak taking third place after finishing at 18-under-par for the tournament, one shot back from the leaders.

Talor Gooch finished in a share of 11th place at 13-under, with Catlin finishing at a respectable five-under- in a tie for 37th spot. Those scores were tallied to give Smash a combined total of 53-under for the week, beating Ripper GC to the team title by three shots and the four members will receive a share of £2.3m in team prize money.

Although not directly involved in the event, McDowell expressed his support through social media. He posted on X, “Let’s gooooooooo Smash GC,” as the tournament approached its conclusion, with Koepka and his teammates poised for victory.

While the prospect of missing out on a significant financial reward will be disappointing for McDowell, the more pressing concern is the loss of vital points in the season-long order of merit. His absence from the tournament has resulted in a drop to 27th place in the standings, placing him outside the Lock Zone with only one individual event left in the season.

Achieving a top 24 finish would guarantee his position with LIV Golf for another year, thereby securing his association with Smash for 2025. However, as it currently stands, the former world No. 4 is likely to end up in the Open Zone. Players in this zone effectively enter free agency unless they hold the position of team captain, which means McDowell’s future may depend on captain Koepka’s decisions.

McDowell was a founding member of LIV at its inception in 2022 and played for the Cleeks last season, but he did not receive a contract extension after finishing in the Open Zone. Fortunately, Koepka provided him with an opportunity by selecting him for the Smash team.

This season, McDowell has had a respectable yet unremarkable performance, achieving three top 10 finishes in 10 starts. However, it remains uncertain whether this will be sufficient to secure his future with Smash if he concludes the season in the Open Zone.