Journalist and creator Alan Shipnuck has claimed that Northern Irish golfer Graeme McDowell obtained "death threats" following his transfer to hitch LIV Golf again in May 2022. Posting on X, Shipnuck gave an perception right into a dialog he had with the four-time PGA Tour winner the place he admitted to the "ugly" response he obtained following the transfer.

McDowell joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf on a profitable contract following nearly a decade on the PGA Tour. During this time he was named in 4 Ryder Cup groups, reached his highest profession rating of World No. 4 in January 2011 and gained 4 PGA Tour titles - together with the 2010 U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach.

The 44-year-old's transfer to LIV, nonetheless, was met with harsh criticism amongst followers and gamers who have been crucial of the league's extortionate prize cash 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 introduced a shock merger that brings to an finish the continuing feud and litigation battle between the previous rival excursions.

It now seems that McDowell bore the brunt of this abuse, in line with Shipnuck. While responding to his X followers following the discharge of his new e-book "LIV and Let Die" the journalist revealed a dialog he had with the Northern Irish golfer the place he "got death threats after his ill-fated press conference at the first-ever LIV event in London."

The post, the place he refers back to the pair's dialog, mentioned: "'It was ugly,' he [McDowell] says. 'What I realised afterward was that no matter what I said, it was going to be the wrong thing.

"'I performed poorly for months after that as a result of I used to be wounded by the criticism. I discovered about myself that I actually do care what individuals consider me. My pores and skin is a bit thicker now, however I’m not going to lie, it damage.'"

After announcing that he was joining LIV in 2022, McDowell was upfront on his reasons for making the move. "It is in regards to the cash, and I feel most guys would fortunately say that to you," he mentioned in an interview with BBC Sport. "They're there for the monetary alternative, little doubt about it.

"There is more to what it is we're trying to create: a new product for the fans," he added. "The 54-hole shotgun team format is fun, it's different. But no one cares about that right now, they only care about the negativity. Am I out there for the money? Yes, of course I am."