Graeme McDowell is considering a return to the DP World Tour, citing a desire to take part in the Irish Open and Ryder Cups as motivation.
The Antrim man joined the breakaway LIV Golf tour in 2022 but revealed to BBC Sport NI that he had paid off the applicable fines to the DP Tour that would allow him to compete on both circuits in some capacity.
He would be joining the likes of fellow Antrim golfer Tom McKibbin, Tyrrell Hatton and Victor Perez, who as part of a settlement, agreed to pay off the fines due and must play in at least six DP events, two of which are dictated by the European body.
"I have my previous fines all paid off, but I'm sort of at a kind of zero level with the DP World Tour," McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, said.
"There is a May date where you can approach the Tour and ask for a membership, which is at the discretion of the CEO.
"At that point I'd ask them what they'd want me to do, how many events that might look like and see if that is a workload that I'm willing to take.
"Clearly I miss the Irish Open, I miss being able to play a few of those events in September and October like the Dunhill Links, events that I care about a lot, so I'll certainly ask the question and see what that looks like for me.
"I'd love to have the conversation with the DP World about the opportunity to go to Ireland and play with Rory [McIlroy] and Shane [Lowry] - that's definitely something I miss."
McDowell competed twice at the Ryder Cup, famously holing the winning point for Europe in the 2010 renewal, and featured as a vice-captain in 2018 and 2021.
A desire to get involved in the competition, which takes place next year in Adare Manor, is also a factor for the 46-year-old, who admitted the current rules may not allow him to partake in Limerick as Europe defend their title.
"I understand bringing LIV players creates negative narratives that we don't want and need there, but if the door is open I would do anything to support the team," he added.
"People will say that I don't deserve to be there. I've made my bed, I should sleep in it, which is true - but I feel fortunate to have this opportunity to be out here on LIV competing, obviously for a lot of money against some good players on a good schedule.
"I'm happy with what I'm doing and I understand the reasons why the Ryder Cup may not happen in any shape or form. I've made my peace with that a little bit."
