McDowell hopes to rejoin Europe’s Ryder Cup team in a supporting role

Graeme McDowell said this week he has not given up hope of rejoining Europe’s Ryder Cup effort in future, even if that means taking a supporting role, as the biennial contest approaches at Bethpage Black in New York from September 26 to 28 and with Adare Manor set to host in 2027. The Northern Irishman, a three time Ryder Cup winner who holed the winning putt for Europe at Celtic Manor in 2010, said he would gladly accept any role that gets him back inside the European team room despite having joined LIV Golf in 2022.

Jon Rahm, McDowell said, asked him earlier this year whether he would accept a vice captaincy at Bethpage Black. McDowell replied that he would even make drinks for the team if asked. He told BBC Sport, "That is how much it means to me and how much I want to be there in a supporting role for Team Europe," adding that he would "do anything to be in that European team room" when the Ryder Cup returns to Ireland in 2027.

McDowell has appeared in four Ryder Cups, contributed nine points to European teams and twice served as a vice captain. Many peers who joined LIV have seen their Ryder Cup prospects altered or ended by current tour rules that restrict involvement by...