Graeme McDowell Suspended by LIV Golf Over Doping Violation

Graeme McDowell has received a one-tournament suspension from LIV Golf for breaching the circuit’s anti-doping policy. The Saudi-backed tour announced that the 45-year-old Northern Irish golfer used a decongestant containing a banned substance during LIV Golf Nashville in June. Consequently, the suspension comes with a $125,000 (£98,000) fine.

McDowell took a generic nasal decongestant to manage severe congestion affecting his sleep. Unfortunately, he did not realize it contained a banned substance. He admitted that, as a professional golfer, he should have checked the medication’s compliance with anti-doping regulations or applied for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). McDowell expressed regret for his oversight and accepted the imposed sanctions.

As a result of the suspension, McDowell and his team’s results from LIV Nashville will be disqualified. He will miss the next LIV Golf event in West Virginia on August 16. However, he can return for the Chicago tournament in September. Graeme McDowell, who won the US Open in 2010, expressed pride in his 22-year career and his conduct throughout it.

He is now focused on moving past the incident and looks forward to returning to competitive golf at LIV Chicago. “I’m proud of my career and how I’ve conducted myself,” McDowell said. “I’m eager to move forward and see everyone at LIV Chicago.”