Graeme McDowell has stirred debate with a claim about what it takes for young golfers to break through on the PGA Tour.
The conversation came up after Michael La Sasso was announced as the newest player to sign with LIV Golf.
La Sasso, the 2025 NCAA Champion, will play alongside Phil Mickelson for LIV’s HyFlyers GC.
Speaking on the matter, McDowell hinted that the decision might be related to how difficult it is to make an impact on the PGA Tour these days.
Graeme McDowell believes LIV Golf have edge over PGA Tour
LIV Golf have not managed to land any big names recently, but they have brought in some promising young talent.
La Sasso joins a group of up-and-coming players under 25, including David Puig, Tom McKibbin, and Josele Ballester.
McDowell thinks LIV could be seen as a better path forward for some young players compared to the traditional route through the PGA Tour.
“Hot take, but LIV is a legitimate pathway for young potential superstars who can get paid to be mentored in their young careers by Tour greats and play a guaranteed schedule,” he said.
“The road to the PGA Tour is increasingly perilous and littered with great talent that never made it.”
Michael Kim responds to Graeme McDowell’s ‘hot take’
PGA Tour winner Michael Kim did not disagree with the idea that LIV offers a good path for young players. However, he argued that the PGA Tour still rewards talent.
“I don’t disagree, but the PGA Tour is one of the purest meritocracies in sports, and if you’re good enough, you’ll end up playing on tour. If you never made it… You just weren’t good enough,” Kim commented.
McDowell responded by acknowledging that while the PGA Tour is currently a more complete competition, it is also becoming harder for young players to break into.
“No disputing from me that the PGA Tour is the most complete tour in the world to play golf right now,” he stated.
“My point is that it is also increasingly becoming a closed shop, like LIV, with harder and narrower pathways to get there.
“Getting there is arguably harder than staying there, and golf is one of the few sports in the world in which the best young talents are not guaranteed their shot on the big stage.
“Pathways will always be important, and LIV is providing a very interesting and compelling opportunity for the next-gen player. Cash in their pocket and a chance to compete at a high level, in my humble opinion.”
