Graeme McDowell makes remarkable Ryder Cup claim ahead of Ireland return
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With the Ryder Cup back on the Emerald Isle in 2027, Graeme McDowell has a dream. And it’s more than just serving up drinks…
Graeme McDowell has not given up on his Ryder Cup ambitions.
The 2010 US Open champion was one of a group of players that included Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia who were all but guaranteed to take the captaincy reins at some point in the future. Indeed, McDowell was heavily touted for the job when Adare Manor, in Ireland, was announced as the host venue for 2027.
But that dream was shattered when that particular quintet of Ryder Cup stars resigned their European Tour memberships to join LIV Golf in 2022.
Now, though, the landscape has shifted somewhat. Garcia has done what he needs to do to get back in the fold, and while the Spaniard’s recent form has almost certainly cost him a place in Luke Donald’s team that will travel to Bethpage next month, he is at least in the conversation.
And that’s what McDowell is hoping for when the next qualification cycle starts next year.
The Northern Irishman has an impressive Ryder Cup record. He played 15 matches across four tournaments, three of which were victorious, and contributed nine points to the European cause – including the winning putt at Celtic Manor in 2010.
But McDowell hasn’t been involved in the biennial competition in any capacity since his last appearance in 2014 – and it seems he is willing to whatever it takes to change that.
During an interview with the BBC, McDowell revealed that fellow LIV golfer Jon Rahm had asked if he would accept a vice-captain role at Bethpage.
McDowell said: “I replied, ‘If they ask me to make coffees for you – I would go and make coffees.’ That’s how much it means to me and how much I want to be there in a supporting role for Team Europe.
“It goes without saying, as we look towards Adare Manor in two years’ time, I would do anything to be in that European team room, to be part of that team, to put that team Europe shirt on one more time, to have the badge on my chest, to cheer the guys on and help Europe win another Ryder Cup. I hope to be there.”
“I feel like I have something to give back.”
As for the 45th edition of golf’s biennial showdown between Europe and the USA next month, McDowell says he will be following as a fan.
“I wish Team Europe all the best at Bethpage,” he said. “I will be pulling for them every shot and wish I was there, but the politics is a lot of levels above what I do, it’s definitely the powers that be that will figure this out for us.”
Graeme McDowell’s Ryder Cup record
Appearances: 4 (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Foursomes: 4-2-2 (5 points)
Fourballs: 1-2-0 (1 point)
Singles: 3-1-0 (3 points)
Overall: 8-5-2 (9 points)
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Graeme McDowell has targeted a return to the European Ryder Cup team in 2027.
