London, Feb. 27 -- Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell says "everyone is very optimistic" about the future of golf amid ongoing talks between rival tours over bringing the game back together.

Last week, the PGA Tour held "constructive" talks with LIV Golf and United States president Donald Trump over the "reunification" of the men's professional game.

The PGA Tour and DP World Tour first agreed a shock merger with LIV Golf's backers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), in June 2023, but McDowell believes "we're starting to turn the corner".

"I'm really excited that things are going on to try and repair the damage that's been done and bring the best players in the world back together more often," the former world number four told...