Graeme McDowell was one of Europe’s top performers during his Ryder Cup run between 2008 and 2014, where he played a key role in some memorable victories.
From 15 matches, he secured nine points, winning 60 percent of them, and was on the winning teams in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
After that, he served as a vice-captain for Thomas Bjorn in the successful 2018 campaign and again under Padraig Harrington in the losing effort in 2021.
But since joining LIV Golf three years ago, McDowell has not been involved with the European team, including for this year’s event at Bethpage Black.
The Northern Irishman has shared his thoughts on whether he backs Luke Donald’s choice to keep LIV golfers out of his setup.
Graeme McDowell on why he was not selected as vice-captain
If it were not for their ties to LIV Golf, McDowell, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, and Lee Westwood would all likely be serving as Ryder Cup captains or vice-captains right now.
While that may sound harsh considering what they have given to the competition over the years, McDowell says he holds no bitterness about it.
He recognises that since leaving the PGA and European Tours, he has lost touch with many of the current players and understands why that matters.
Speaking to Smylie Kaufman, McDowell said: “I miss it. I miss being part of that ecosystem. I miss being part of the Ryder Cup culture.
“I get it, though. It wouldn’t make any sense to have a guy like me or [Ian] Poulter or [Lee] Westwood as a Ryder Cup vice captain because we really don’t spend enough time with these guys anymore.
“Being on the LIV tour, we don’t get a chance to go back and play the European Tour very often. And there’s a huge amount of trust and communication that you need with these players to be able to have them trust you, to have them know that you’ve got their back.
“As much as I would love to be there next week and be one of Luke’s vice captains, I also get it. I understand that there’s a lot more to it than just having a lot of experience and a lot of things to be able to tell the guys.
“They have to trust you, too. That means being there and playing and being in the European tour and being part of that group and obviously spending some time with these guys over the last couple of years.”
McDowell describes the ‘surreal’ feeling of being a Ryder Cup vice-captain
Although McDowell appreciated his time as a vice-captain for Europe, there is still nothing quite like being out on the course as a player.
He spoke about how both he and Matt Kuchar felt during the 2018 event, especially since Le Golf National was a course that suited their styles.
“I was a vice-captain twice, when Thomas [Bjorn] was captain, and then I talked about Whistling Straits earlier when Padraig Harrington was the captain, and those were great experiences as well.
“It’s a bit surreal standing to the side and watching. I remember Matt Kuchar and I were at Le Golf National at the French Ryder Cup, and if there’s a golf course… I’d won two French Opens on that golf course, and Kuchar had played well there, too.
“I remember Kuchar and me standing on the side of one of the tee boxes looking at each other going, ‘You and I could have had a pretty good tussle around here. This would be our type of golf course.’”