Graeme McDowell admits he received death threats after joining rebel LIV Golf league

Journalist and author Alan Shipnuck has claimed that Northern Irish golfer Graeme McDowell received “death threats” following his move to join LIV Golf back in May 2022. Posting on X, Shipnuck gave an insight into a conversation he had with the four-time PGA Tour winner where he admitted to the “ugly” reaction he received following the move.

McDowell joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf on a lucrative contract following almost a decade on the PGA Tour. During this time he was named in four Ryder Cup teams, reached his highest career ranking of World No. 4 in January 2011 and won four PGA Tour titles – including the 2010 U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach.

The 44-year-old’s move to LIV, however, was met with harsh criticism among fans and players who were critical of the league’s extortionate prize money which is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia – which has been criticised for its human rights abuses.

Both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have since announced a shock merger that brings to an end the ongoing feud and litigation battle between the former rival tours.

It now appears that McDowell bore the brunt of this abuse, according to Shipnuck. While responding to his X followers following the release of his new book “LIV and Let Die” the journalist revealed a conversation he had with the Northern Irish golfer where he “got death threats after his ill-fated press conference at the first-ever LIV event in London.”