Graeme McDowell's comment after banking €1.6 million speaks volumes about him
Graeme McDowell was all class as he shared the runner-up spot at LIV Golf Virginia.
McDowell chalked up his top result of the LIV season to date – landing second on Sunday, just behind winner Joaquin Niemann who secured his fourth 2025 victory. The Portrush native, alongside Anirban Lahiri, pocketed a tidy €1.6 million for their efforts at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
Showing true sportsmanship, 45-year-old McDowell was quick to heap praise on his fellow competitors after the triumph. The event saw some of LIV's heavyweights, like Bubba Watson, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm, making a mark, yet McDowell edged out this illustrious group to finish near the very top.
"Nice to be up there with names like that," he remarked when asked about the calibre of players. "Those are pretty good names. I think it speaks to the golf course.
"I think it speaks to the fact that it was a - it required a bit of thought. It required a little bit of cunning, if you like, and I think that's why so many experienced players played well.
"I think it's a wonderful track. Obviously shout-out to the maintenance crew for the work they did to get the course ready after the rain. I really enjoyed the golf course. It was a great setup and the type of venue that LIV deserves here in the US."
McDowell's heartfelt mention of the tireless maintenance workers and greens staff upon his latest performance speaks volumes about his character.
Even though he didn't scoop the top €3.6m prize at the Virginia event, his stout finish and sizeable seven-figure earnings are just as sweet for the golfer who has often been missing from the winner's circle.
Assessing his achievement on the leaderboard, prior to this high-pressure weekend in Virginia, McDowell was sharing 12th place as his pinnacle for 2025, measured during a tournament in Hong Kong.
Sunday saw him notch his most impressive result within the LIV Golf circuit yet, nabbing second place just shy of victory, building on three top-10 placements accrued last year, reports Belfast Live.
Nevertheless, his thoughts were immediately with those whose hard work made the event's smooth run possible – showing gratitude when most might be soaking up their own success.
Meanwhile, Niemann's recent triumph in Virginia consolidates his standing as the reigning heavyweight of LIV Golf, forging ahead with a healthy lead above DeChambeau in the rankings. Next on the LIV Golf calendar is Dallas, returning as a familiar host from last year's Team Championship.
McDowell currently sits in 25th place, just outside the 'Lock Zone'. The top 24 players in any LIV Golf campaign are guaranteed a spot in the following year's competition, though exceptions can be made for certain players.
This was the case for McDowell after he finished both the 2023 and 2024 seasons in the 'Open Zone'. However, it seems he's well respected on the tour as Smash GC captain Brooks Koepka chose to keep him on board regardless.
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