McDowell, who has been in professional golf for over two decades, admitted to the oversight
Graeme McDowell, the former US Open champion, has been suspended for one LIV Golf tournament and fined $125,000 following a breach of the Saudi-funded circuit’s anti-doping policy. The violation came as a result of McDowell using a decongestant containing the banned substance R-methamphetamine (levo-methamphetamine).
As a consequence of the infraction, McDowell’s results and those of his team from the LIV Golf Nashville event will be disqualified. The Northern Irish golfer will miss this week’s tournament in West Virginia and is set to return to competition at LIV Chicago next month.
In a statement shared on social media, McDowell addressed the situation: “Ahead of LIV Nashville, I was struggling with severe congestion that was affecting my sleep. In an effort to manage it, I used a generic Vicks nasal decongestant without realizing it might be on the banned list.”
McDowell, who has been a prominent figure in professional golf for over two decades, admitted to the oversight and expressed his regret. “As a professional golfer, I understand the importance of checking all medications and the option to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). Unfortunately, I did not think to do this due to the over-the-counter nature of this medicine and I deeply regret the oversight. I fully accept the sanctions imposed by LIV.”
He further commented on the rigor of LIV Golf’s anti-doping policies, stating, “LIV’s Anti-Doping Policy is designed to be thorough and transparent. Unlike some other tours, LIV enforces these rules rigorously, which made this particularly challenging for me. However, I respect the need for these rules and penalties – they are essential for maintaining the integrity of the sport.”
McDowell’s spot on Smash GC for the upcoming West Virginia event will be filled by an unnamed reserve player. Despite the setback, McDowell remains focused on his return and is eager to get back to competitive play.
“I’m proud of my 22-year career and the way I’ve conducted myself through it. Now, I’m focused on moving forward and getting back on the golf course. I look forward to seeing everyone at LIV Chicago,” McDowell concluded.
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