Jul 12—14, 2024

It was a tough week in Andalucía for G-Mac and his team Smash GC. Valderrama showed it’s teeth and from the off it was hard going. Graeme opened with a +4 followed by +6 on Saturday. As always with the Portrush man, he never gives up and pulled out his best round on Sunday with a level par. Onwards!

RESULT: T42
SCORE +4(75), +6(77), E(71), TOT +10

Smash GC finished in 13th postion with a score of +23 (R1 +13, R2 +3, R3 +7 Tot +23)

In the word of his team, “defeat is temporary, grit is forever.”

Course Details

Some holes have a ring to them, right? Amen Corner at Augusta, the Road Hole at St Andrews… and the 17th at Valderrama. This natural amphitheater has become a legend in itself, a sun-drenched setting for comebacks, triple bogeys, even an albatross from our very own Graeme McDowell.

Valderrama, located in Andalucia in southern Spain, is loved by top golfers and fans of the game alike. The pros enjoy the beautifully presented course, which is long, technical and extremely testing. Spectators appreciate the stunning scenery and the chance to see many of the world’s best players up close.

Yardage: 6,999
Course Par: 71

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Jun 21-23,2024

Graeme and his Smash teammates, Brooks Koepka, Talor Gooch and Jason Kokrak headed into the week in fifth place on the team rankings. With Graeme sitting in 21st place on the individual rankings, he was looking for a solid week to consolidate his position. It wasn’t to be with a disappointing T42 finish at The Grove Club designed by LIV Golf’s CEO Greg Norman. After a 2 over opening round, G-Mac dug in on Day 2 with a score of 3 under, which included 4 birdies and 1 dropped shot. On Sunday, Graeme opened with a birdie but dropped back with 2 dropped shots on the front 9. He levelled up the day on his 17th (10th hole on the course) with a birdie to end the round Even, 1 under for the week.

RESULT: T42
SCORE: +2(73), -3(69), E(71), Tot -1

Smash GC finished in 12th position with a total of -12 (R1, -2, R2, -11, R3, +1).

Course Details

It’s nearly 80 years since Nashville welcomed big-time golf. This course, designed by our CEO Greg Norman, is worth the wait.

The McCrory Creek, which glides through the middle of The Grove, provides one of the most beguiling natural hazards you’ve ever seen in golf. And there are plenty of man-made ponds around the greens and fairways, creating further pitfalls for those who go too big on the tee.

Overall, though, this course should reward bold, adventurous golf. The greens are fast, the fairways are generous and the scenery… well, that’s spectacular.

Yardage: 7,290
Course Par: 71

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Jun 07-09,2024

A very strong T6 for Graeme with lots of positives to take away from Houston. G–Mac got off to a –3 opening round including 4 birdies which had him well-placed and a marker for the days ahead. After a bogey first hole on Saturday, Graeme showed his steel to turn it around with 2 birdies on the front nine. His day went to another level with consecutive eagles on 12 & 13 which had him flying. Sunday was time to focus for both himself and his team. Graeme kept his cool with a bogey free round of –3 to finish T6 and helping Smash GC to T2 at the end of the a success week.

RESULT: T6
SCORE: -3(69), -4(68), -3(69), Tot -10

Smash GC had a solid week finishing T2 with a total of -31 (R1, -6, R2, -11, R3, -14). Smash soared up the team leaderboard on Sunday after building day on day to come within 2 shots of winners Cleeks GC.

Course Details

At first glance, Houston looks like a driver’s paradise. Spread over 7,508 yards, you’d think it would play right into the hands of Brooks, Bryson and the rest of the LIV Golf bomb squad.

But then you look a bit closer, see the deception bunkers, the sharply ridged greens and the disappearing pins, and realize this is going to be much more tricky than it looks.

For the fans, however, it’s going to be awesome. A beautiful course framed by pines and Wetland plants, with a classic hometown crowd that have been waiting to see golf of this quality for years. Houston loves its sport, and we can expect them to roar the house down here.

Yardage: 7,353
Course Par: 72

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May 03-05, 2024

Graeme finished in T37 place at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club. G-Mac scored rounds of -3, +2 and E to give him a total of -1. The Portrush man started well with a bogey free opening round of 3 under par which had in the 8th place. Day 1 included an eagle on the par5 4th hole and birdie on the par 4, 10th. Severe weather impacted Day 2 and the start was delayed. It was tough going and Graeme dropped back with a 2 over round of 73. On Sunday, G-Mac was 1 under after 9 holes but a disappointing double bogey on the 5th (his 14th on the day) dropped him back. He got it back with a birdie two holes later on the 7th and then made consecutive pars to end the day Even.

Congratulations to Smash GC Team Captain, Brooks Koepka on the victory.

RESULT: T46
SCORE: +3(75), -6(66), -1(71), Tot -4

Smash GC narrowly missed a top 3 finish coming home in 4th position with a Total of -28 (R1, -11, R2, -12, R3, -5)

Course Details

Jungles, beaches, island greens… and a hidden Dragon’s Tail.

The Serapong Golf Course at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club looks like paradise, but don’t be fooled. There are perils lurking amid these perfect vistas. The ‘Tail’ refers to the snaking stretch of holes that slide from 4th to 7th, with vast lakes, tiny landing areas and fierce bunkers waiting to gobble any wayward shots.

This isn’t a course for big booming drives. In fact, the sheer number of hazards demand precision over power. If you’re a fan of subtlety, scrambles and the strategy of risk-reward, you’re going to love this.

Course Par: 71, Yards: 7,426

Other News

Earlier in the week Graeme talked about his desire to compete in the Olympics, But Highlights Obstacle.

“I’d love to play in the Olympics, no doubt. I had an opportunity in Rio the first time the Olympics golf came back on the roster for the Olympics. I didn’t go. I kind of regret it,” -Graeme McDowell said, as quoted by Irish Golfer.

McDowell is aware that with his current World Ranking, there are no chances of competing. However, McDowell highlights another option; There is a chance he could receive an invitation from another country.

“But with my current World Ranking I would say that’s fairly unlikely this season, unfortunately. I think I’m about 800th in the world. Unless I get residency of another country that might want me – I’ll take offers – I think I’m probably not going to be representing Ireland this year, unfortunately.”- he continued.

McDowell also has ambitions to compete in the Majors this year. Although playing on the LIV Golf has significantly complicated the path for him and his colleagues to play in the Majors, McDowell still hopes that there are chances to compete in the biggest tournaments.

Graeme hopes that he will be able to qualify to play in the US Open and the Open Championship. The Irishman has confirmed that he has entered the qualifying rounds for both competitions.

Every golfer dreams of playing on the big stage, but the decisions of individuals who have left the PGA Tour have made their journey difficult. LIV Golfers are not entitled to ranking points. However, some do not want to comment on such matters at all, emphasizing that LIV Golfers knew what joining LIV Golf entailed.

McDowell explained his plans, stating, “I’ve entered for both qualifiers.” He mentioned his schedule, stressing that he will be in Florida on Monday for the Houston qualifier and then in southern London on Tuesday for the International Series Morocco, which he will play right after the Open qualifying series. McDowell expressed his support for Brooks Koepka while also emphasizing his own goal of trying to qualify for a couple of majors himself.

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Apr 26—28, 2024

Graeme came away in T46 at the Grange Golf Club. The week got off to a disappointing start with an opening day score of +3. On day 2 Graeme came out showing grit and determination to shoot a strong 6 under which included birdies on the 3rd,8th,9th,13th,14th and 18th with no dropped shots. His final round got off to a good start with an opening birdie, but after that it was a mixed day with 3 more birdies mixed in with 4 bogeys.

As ever it was a great atmosphere in Adelaide and Graeme thanked the fans for their fantastic support.

RESULT: T46
SCORE: +3(75), -6(66), -1(71), Tot -4

Smash GC finished the week in 11 position with a Total of -31 (R1, -3, R2, -16, R3, -12)

Course Details

Lying close to the ocean and not far from central Adelaide, the Grange Golf Club frequently features in lists of Australia’s top golf courses.

The course, redesigned in recent years by LIV Golf Commissioner & CEO Greg Norman, plays to every inch of its 6,840 yards and presents a stiff test for even the finest golfers – as we’re about to see.

The firm and fast greens demand the utmost precision and could play into the hands of local hero Cam Smith, renowned as one of the best putters in the world. The players that move best on the dancefloor and revel in the amazing Aussie atmosphere are likely to prevail.

Course Par: 72, Yards: 6,899

Earlier in the week Graeme and Smash GC took time out to sign autographs for participants during a visit to the Taoundi College Aboriginal School in Adelaide.

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Apr 05—07, 2024

A T29 place for Graeme at The Blue Monster in Miami. Graeme opened with a 2 over Par 74 which included 5 birdies, it was a very much mixed round making birdie followed by a drop. On Day 2, G-Mac was 2 down after four holes but bounced back to complete the front nine on Par with consecutive birdies on the 17/18th (his 8th/9th on the day). On the back nine with one dropped shot on the 3rd (his 12th) he ended the day +1. His final day of the week on Sunday was his best with 3 birdies and one shot dropped. His week in Miami ended with a score of +1.

RESULT: T29
SCORE: +2(74), +1(73), -2(70), Tot +1

Smash GC finished the week in 7 position with a Total of -7 (R1, -6, R2, -1, R3, E)

Course Details

The Blue Monster has been earning its name for over half a century, taming the greats of our game with its endless perils.

This 7,701-yard course is practically more water than land, so vast are the lakes that lie in wait around every corner. The fairways are wafer-thin, the greens are fiercely guarded and the 18th hole is one of the most ruthless finishers in all of golf.

The 2023 Team Championship was held here and produced a moment of magic that will live long in the memory. Bryson DeChambeau hit a Hail Mary Birdie on the 16th which came from behind the hospitality stand, a pivotal moment as his Crushers GC clinched one of their famous comebacks.

That’s the kind of thing that can happen at the Blue Monster. Now, who’s going to pull a rabbit from the hat this time?

Course Par: 72, Yards: 7,701

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Mar 08-10, 2024,

A fantastic T8 place for Graeme at the Hong Kong Golf Club. After an opening round of one under G-Mac was down the pack, but a brilliant second day score of -6 (which included 7 birdies) bumped him into the top 10 going into the final day. Playing some great golf Graeme got up to 2nd place on Sunday, he then dropped 2 consecutive shots on the 18th & 1st holes (His 15/16th on the day) which took the shine off and put him in 8th place to end the week. Graeme led the way finishing top for Smash GC.

His scores for the week were: -1, -6, -3, Total -10.

Smash GC finished the week in 7 position with a Total of -24 (R1, -7, R2, -10, R3 -7)

Course Details

First held in 1959, the Hong Kong Open is Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event and considered one of the “jewels in the crown” of Asian golf.

It has always been staged at the historic Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling making it the only tournament in the world apart from the US Masters in Augusta to be played each year at the same venue for so long.

Course Par: 70, Yards: 6,708

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Feb 08—10, 2024
Las Vegas Country Club, Las Vegas, USA

A fantastic final round for Graeme posting a 5 under par to finish in 5th place. This was his best finish on the LIV circuit and on the final round all the hard work came together. He carded 5 birdies with no dropped shots to be pushing for the lead at the end. Not only was it an amazing week for Graeme, his team SMASH GC came home winners in the team event. Koepka (Captain), Gooch, Kokrak & McDowell had a combined total of -33, a massive seven shots ahead of the 2nd place ACES GC.

Graeme scored a level-par 70 in round two at Las Vegas Country Club to fall seven back of the fast pace set by Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau. It was a case of one step forward, one step back for the Portrush man who fired three birdies but mixed in three bogeys as well, falling back from tied seventh to tied 26th as several players went low around the desert layout.

Graeme McDowell posted his best opening score since LIV’s arrival to sit just three off the lead in a share of seventh place after day one at Las Vegas County Club. Starting on the sixth hole in the shotgun start format, the Portrush man opened his birdie account with a three on the par-4 seventh, then added two more back-to-back on 12 and 13 before a bogey at 14, his only dropped shot of the day, momentarily halted the charge. He’d respond in ideal fashion with birdie at the par-5 15th, covering his opening nine in three-under. Another birdie at the first took him to -4 for the day, and he’d par his way to the par-3 fifth – his 18th – where a pinpoint iron shot left him a short birdie putt, only to see the four-footer slide by, ending an otherwise excellent opening effort on a rather sour note.

COURSE DETAILS

LIV Golf is about to take over a true Las Vegas institution, where the rich and famous have been sinking putts and cutting deals since 1967.

The Las Vegas Country club has hosted multiple pro tournaments, including the Las Vegas Invitational won by our own commissioner Greg Norman. The clubhouse, meanwhile, has provided sanctuary to Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Joe DiMaggio.

This venue once witnessed a classic ‘what happens in Vegas’ tale, when an FBI plane landed in a water hazard. Now, it’s time for another incredible story.

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Feb 02—04, 2024
El Camaleón Golf Course, Mayakoba, Mexico

Graeme got his Smash GC debut underway with a T43 finish. With a course Par of 71 G-Mac scored E, +3 and +1 to end the week +4. Graeme’s best spell was in his opening round with a run of 4 birdies in 5 holes from the 6th to 10th holes, after that he struggled and couldn’t get any momentum going which dropped down the leaderboard.

Team Smash GC had an overall score of -12 to put them in 7 position.

COURSE DETAILS

The El Cameleón Course sits on the Riviera Maya, just down the coast from honeymoon hotbed Cancun, and Mayakoba and LIV Golf promises to be a match made in heaven.

The course, designed by LIV Golf Commissioner & CEO Greg Norman, fuses challenging holes with glorious scenery in a breathtaking beach-side setting. It’s the perfect venue for great golfing action.

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