Graeme McDowell reveals how Brooks Koepka came to the rescue after he was left in the cold.
Graeme McDowell has told GolfMagic about the time when Brooks Koepka helped him during the off-season.
This happened after Martin Kaymer made it clear that McDowell had no future at Cleeks GC. In an interview with GolfMagic before LIV Golf’s fourth event of the 2024 season at Hong Kong Golf Club, McDowell discussed his new captain and the support he received before the season began.
McDowell started his journey with Cleeks GC in 2022 when captain Kaymer chose him to be part of the team along with Richard Bland and Bernd Wiesberger during the draft.
Nevertheless, McDowell conceded that his initial two seasons on LIV did not unfold as expected, resulting in placements of 34th and 42nd in the individual standings.
Excited to talk about his new team, Smash GC, which includes Talor Gooch and Jason Kokrak, the Northern Irishman shared details about how he made the decision to switch teams.
McDowell told GolfMagic:
“The Cleeks relationship had kind of run its course a little bit. It wasn’t really a good fit. I don’t think Martin a future with me on the team, which is disappointing. “At the time, you know, I was worried, I was worried about my future; you know, my contract with LIV was up, and it was clear that Cleeks didn’t want me on the team. So you know Brooks really offered me a lifeline.”
Since his move to Smash GC, McDowell has found some early-season form and currently sits tied for 19th in the individual standings thanks to a fifth-place finish at LIV Golf Las Vegas, which also coincided with Smash GC winning the team event.
Smash GC also finished seventh at Mayakoba and third at Jeddah, which puts them second in the team standings
With a new captain and a fresh perspective, McDowell is motivated to kick on in 2024 and eager to repay Koepka’s faith.
McDowell said:
Obviously, he’s put a lot of trust in me, bringing me into this team this year, and it’s been nice to be able to play decently so far. I want to continue working hard for him, and you know that pushes me and motivates me. “As a 44-year-old guy who’s been doing this for 22 years, the freshness and the different perspective that it brings is really helpful for me, and I really feel like it’s helping, it’s helping my game.”
McDowell was full of praise for Koepka and believes the five-time major champion is pleased with how the team has settled so quickly following a turbulent 2023 season that saw him heavily fall out with former teammate Matt Wolff.
Yeah, I mean, you know, it was pretty public that Smash GC last year had some personnel issues, and there was definitely some tension within the camp. I really feel like you know Brooks is obviously very happy with the team camaraderie this season. “When you’ve got a guy like that driving you from the front, asking kind of you know, obviously not verbally asking you to kind of give your best, but you know he expects everyone to give 100%. “That pressure and that motivation is kind of what I need right now. It kind of feels like it narrows my focus. And you know, like I said, I’m enjoying being around him.”
In the 2023 season, Koepka made his dissatisfaction with Wolff evident, leading to public conflicts between them on several occasions.
Koepka’s sibling, a member of the Smash GC team, experienced a difficult season which resulted in his demotion. Chase assisted McDowell, and Gooch replaced the unpopular Wolff before he moved to Bubba Watson’s RangeGoats.
McDowell leaving Cleeks GC resulted in Kaymer, a two-time major winner, signing up newcomer Adrian Meronk to join LIV Golf. Meronk made the choice to join LIV Golf even after securing his PGA Tour card for the first time.
Kaymer also expressed his approval of Kalle Samooja joining the team after securing his playing rights through the LIV Promotions event in late 2023, while Wiesberger was removed from the team.
McDowell is feeling positive about his ability to continue his recent strong performance in Hong Kong this week.
He thinks that his familiarity with the course from his DP World Tour days could give him a small edge over the other competitors.
The former US Open champion said:
A lot of guys are here for the first time, so you know I have a little bit of an advantage. It helps that I have pretty good course knowledge. “If I were to draw up a golf course where I think I can compete, it would look something like this one. So, you know, I’m pretty excited to continue the form and the little bit of belief and momentum that I’m creating within my game.”
