Graeme McDowell has become the first LIV Golf League player to be suspended under its antidoping policy, getting penalized for using an over-the-counter decongestant that contained a banned substance.
The Saudi-funded tour said McDowell, a former U.S. Open champion, would be suspended for one tournament and fined $125,000. He will be replaced in the field at LIV Golf Greenbrier next weekend by an alternate player.
The 45-year-old golfer from Northern Ireland posted on social media Sunday that he was struggling with severe congestion that affected his sleep prior before the LIV Golf Nashville tournament in June.
“In an effort to manage it, I used a generic Vicks nasal decongestant without realizing it might be on the banned list,” McDowell said. “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 take the time to do this due to the over-the-counter nature of this medicine, and deeply regret the oversight. I fully accept the sanctions imposed by LIV.”
LIV said the substance was levo-methamphetamine.