Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell was banned from one tournament and fined $125,000 by LIV Golf on Sunday for violating the Saudi-backed golf club’s anti-doping policies.
According to LIV Golf, McDowell’s violation occurred in June at the league event in Nashville after the Northern Irishman took a decongestant medication that contained a banned substance called R-methamphetamine.
McDowell said in a statement on X that he suffers from a stuffy nose that affects his sleep and uses a “generic Vicks nasal decongestant” but did not think to apply for a medical use exemption because he bought the drug over the counter.
“As a professional golfer, I understand the importance of reviewing all medications and having the opportunity to request a medical exemption,” McDowell said. “Unfortunately, I did not think of this… and I deeply regret this oversight. I fully accept the sanctions imposed by LIV.”
According to LIV policy, both McDowell’s team results and those of his Smash GC will be disqualified from the Nashville event and prize money and points will be adjusted retroactively.
McDowell finished tied for 42nd in Nashville, while Smash GC, a team led by five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, finished 12th out of 13 teams.
McDowell, who won the 2010 U.S. Open, will be eligible to play again at the LIV Golf Chicago event on September 13-15, and his vacant spot at Smash GC will be filled by a yet-to-be-confirmed alternate at the Greenbrier event on August 16-18.
