PGA Tour stars handed "lucrative" chance to join LIV in qualifying loophole

07 November 2023 , 11:00

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Graeme McDowell believes the chance to join LIV Golf is a 'lucrative one' (Image: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Graeme McDowell is as curious as anyone to see who turns out to compete in LIV Golf's first ever promotion event in Abu Dhabi in December.

LIV's own twist on Qualifying School will see three new players earn a card to compete on the breakaway circuit in 2024, with the top finishers from the 72-hole tournament in the Middle East next month rewarded. It remains unknown as to which players will opt to compete in the event, with Q-School for both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour currently ongoing.

The financial implications of earning a place in the Saudi-backed league will no doubt attract a number of stars, but with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour currently punishing players for joining the rival circuit, players will have to weigh up their options.

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LIV's great foe the PGA Tour appear to have made the decision much easier for their members, after a spokesperson for the circuit confirmed that due to the event in Abu Dhabi being a 'qualifier' and not officially part of a 'unauthorised series', players are able to compete without the fear of punishment. Of course if a Tour player was to earn promotion it remains to be seen what decision would follow.

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In typical LIV fashion the three-day promotion tournament will come with an impressive prize pot, with £1.2 million on offer to those competing - a hefty purse by Q-School standards. One man who knows LIV well is Cleeks GC star McDowell, having joined the rebel league following its inception last summer.

The amount of intrigue and unanswered questions surrounding LIV Promotions is making the prospect of the event all the more exciting, and former U.S. Open champion McDowell is relishing the chance to welcome some new blood to the breakaway circuit. Speaking at last week's Volvo China Open, he told Mirror Sport: " I'm super curious to see the field because it's a very interesting opportunity."

Graeme McDowell had his say on the LIV Promotion event (AP)

McDowell himself is unable to compete on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour due to his LIV allegiances, so has turned his attention to the Asian Tour's International Series amid the circuit's new-found links to the Saudi-backed league. While it remains unsure who will show their face from the United States in Europe, the ex-major champion revealed their is plenty of interest from those playing in Asia.

" It's a lucrative opportunity. Obviously on the Asian Tour, the buzz is great. Most of the guys I played with this week are super excited," he added. Of course earning a place on the rebel circuit is set to be a tough task with just three places up for grabs, and McDowell has encouraged those who tee it up to "play hard" amid the brutal format.

He went on: "So the format is very like LIV - it's a sprint which has its pros and its cons. You have about nine holes and you know you're in trouble! You have to go out there and play hard. It is a Q-School that brings the cream to the top in 36 holes, a sprint. This qualifier is very unique and I love it. I think it's great. I think it's exciting."

The format will see hopefuls compete in four rounds over three days, with a top-20 and ties cut following round one on the Friday. The scores will then reset for Saturday's second round where top-20 and ties will once again earn a place to compete in Sunday's finale.

For a second time scores are reset, before those remaining compete across 36 holes on the final day to earn a top-three finish and a LIV Golf spot. The three promoted stars will join the 2023 International Series' Order of Merit winner, who will also earn a 2024 LIV place thanks to their efforts on the Asian Tour.

This time around it is set to be taken by Andy Ogletree, who only 17 months ago was cut from the LIV roster after just one event following a rock-bottom finish at the league's first ever event at Centurion. The American's bounce back is a commendable one, and McDowell has revealed he is already receiving plenty of interest from LIV captains.

"I know he's talking to a few teams," the Northern Irishman commented. "He has had enough exposure to it this year and the couple of chances that he's had, he's taken it. I think he's going to do great next year. I spent a lot of time with him this week, probably got to know him probably more this week than I have. I like his attitude. He's a hard worker."

Joshua Lees