Saudi Arabia's breakaway golf competition has succeeded in luring away some of the PGA Tour 's elite, but Graeme McDowell believes the rivals can co-exist peacefully.
The 2010 U.S. Open champion was named as one of 42 professionals set to play in the inaugural LIV Invitational Series event in Hertfordshire starting June 9. McDowell, 42, conceded it's "a little scary" risking a ban from the PGA schedule, a punishment he does not believe is warranted.
The PGA has confirmed players who feature in the Saudi Golf League's London event will be sanctioned. Still, that wasn't enough to deter the likes of Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter from signing up to take their shot at the $25million (£20m) prize purse.
"The perceived consequences are definitely concerning," said McDowell. "But as players, we just ask ourselves the question, if we do get banned from the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, for example, is that good for the sport of golf?"
He even suggested the two rival tournaments should be able to live in harmony with one another: "I believe it is not good for the game and I really feel what the guys at LIV have done is they've tried to create a schedule, which especially fits around the PGA Tour."
There's already evidence to the contrary considering next week's inaugural event at the Centurion Club in St. Albans clashes with the Canadian Open. After confirming they would not be in Toronto to participate, the Royal Bank of Canada announced it had dropped both McDowell and Johnson as title sponsors of the latter.
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McDowell—who won the Saudi International in 2020—added it was an "exceedingly difficult decision" but one he felt was right for his family. Having been touted as a potential Ryder Cup captain before now, there's a chance that dream may never be realised if he remains part of the exodus.
"It is designed to co-exist with the other tours in the world and let's just hope that it all works out," added the Northern Irishman. "The unknowns are a little scary, but I am sure it's weighed into the decision of every player that's decided to take the leap. And we just hope that the right decision will be made."
After winning the U.S. Open in 2010, McDowell has earned top-10 finishes in just three of his 35 major appearances, missing the cut 17 times. The inaugural LIV Invitational Series event will see 48 players compete for their share of a massive prize pot, with $4m (£3.4m) going to the victor.
