McDowell Reacts To 'Idiotic Comments' Following Shotgun Start Suggestion

After jokingly stating The Open should be a shotgun start, McDowell suggested that 'the other 48 weeks leave room for multiple platforms within the sport'

McDowell strikes an iron shot
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Matt Cradock
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Amid Graeme McDowell jokingly suggesting The 150th Open Championship should be a shotgun start amid slow play, the former US Open winner has now reacted to comments made responding to his tweet.

Just a few hours after posting the tweet, McDowell commented: "Love some of the idiotic comments below. Clearly some click bait here. There’s not a more pure form of our sport than @TheOpen. The Majors are sacred and their history and tradition should always be preserved. The other 48 weeks leave room for multiple platforms within the sport."

Back in June, McDowell revealed he had joined LIV Golf, with the Saudi-backed series bringing in a 54-hole format that includes a shotgun start. It's the shotgun start aspect that hopes to speed up the place of play, with the 48 competitors teeing off on different holes, but at the same time.

On Thursday and Friday at The 150th Open Championship, groups were taking around six hours to complete their rounds, as many individuals took to social media to voice their disgust at the amount of time players were taking.

Despite clearing up his comments about the shotgun start, many users on Twitter weren't accepting the clarification tweet, with one commenting: "The idea that the greatest championship in golf should some how be reduced to a corporate charity day with a shotgun start, is a nonsense. It’s fine you want to play LIV but please don’t pretend it’s a credible alternative to the existing model for elite golf."

What Is LIV GOLF?

Matt Cradock
Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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