Ryder Cup: Sergio Garcia can nonetheless be a European drive if eligible

NEW YORK — Sergio Garcia nonetheless has the expertise to serve Europe effectively at subsequent 12 months’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

In any case, he simply wrapped up his third LIV Golf season, ending third within the standings, falling behind solely Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann. Sure, Garcia turned in a greater LIV season than Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith. The Spaniard received at Valderrama in July and posted a trio of runner-up finishes this season.

“It’s nice, however greater than something, simply to complete as excessive as doable, it’s nice, in opposition to all these guys which are so good,” Garcia mentioned after his end at LIV Golf Chicago.

He additionally performed effectively on the U.S. Open, tying for twelfth at Pinehurst No. 2 after stepping into the sphere as a primary alternate. Garcia posted rounds of 69-71-71-70 to complete at 1-over for the championship, seven strokes behind DeChambeau.

DataGolf presently lists Garcia because the Twenty second-ranked participant on the earth, forward of Koepka and different notable stars similar to Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, and Sahith Theegala. However because the Official World Golf Rating (OWGR) doesn’t award factors to gamers competing in LIV occasions, Garcia’s OWGR rating has plummeted to 390th on the earth. Subsequently, he didn’t earn invitations to the PGA Championship and The Open, thus taking part in in solely The Masters and the U.S. Open. He missed the reduce at Augusta Nationwide by a shot, attributing that near-miss to “very tough” wind circumstances.

Garcia can also be the winningest Ryder Cup participant of all time, incomes 28.5 factors throughout his 10 appearances. He final performed for the European Ryder Cup crew in 2021, when he and Rahm have been the lone vivid spots that 12 months for his or her crew. Garcia earned three factors that week, posting a 3-1 document regardless of his aspect shedding by a historic margin, 19-to-9.

However after becoming a member of LIV Golf, he rescinded his DP World Tour membership in 2022. He consequently couldn’t don the blue and gold in Rome in 2023, because the Europeans went on to win with out him.

“The DP World Tour’s insurance policies have been very constant. There’s been loads of readability round that. It’s actually the identical because it was in Rome,” Captain Luke Donald mentioned on Tuesday.

Photograph by David Cannon/Getty Photos

“You must be a member of The European Tour and born in Europe. In the event you fulfill the rules and the foundations that the DP World Tour set, then you definitely’re eligible. There’s a bunch of LIV guys that play on LIV who’re eligible now in order that I can choose them at will.”

Rahm and Hatton, who joined LIV Golf over the previous 12 months, retained their DP World Tour membership. That explains why they’ve performed on the European circuit not too long ago, hoping to safe useful Ryder Cup factors.

Garcia, in the meantime, shouldn’t be, however Donald supplied a promising growth concerning the Spaniard’s Ryder Cup prospects in 2025.

“To begin with, clearly, he resigned his membership a few years in the past. However we have now had some chats. He’s contemplating rejoining. He’d must comply with all the foundations and rules like everybody else, and if he does that, he will likely be eligible to partake within the Ryder Cup,” Donald mentioned.

“We chatted on the telephone a few weeks in the past. You realize, he’s definitely very interested by doing that. He understands every little thing concerned, and once more, the choice has to go to him, whether or not he’s ready to do all that.”

Donald confirmed to SB Nation that vice captains should even be DP World Tour members in good standing, ought to Garcia wish to serve in that capability. But it surely appears like he needs to play—and he has the sport to assist the Europeans. In any case, the Europeans face a tall job in 2025: profitable a Ryder Cup on American soil at Bethpage Black. Garcia, after all, helped Europe win the Ryder Cup in 2012, the final occasion during which an away crew received the Cup. Contemplating his robust kind from this previous season and his spectacular match-play document, Garcia could possibly be a drive to be reckoned with, at the same time as an elder statesman.

Nevertheless, in line with a February report from The Telegraph, Garcia owes the DP World Tour $1 million in fines. If he pays these and clears the hurdles essential to get reinstated as a member, he’ll grow to be Ryder Cup eligible.

Whether or not he’s motivated to take action stays to be seen. However he continues to like competing on LIV. He mentioned on the U.S. Open that his household, his love for the sport, and the problem that golf presents inspire him day by day, however he didn’t point out the Ryder Cup.

“I really like what I do, which is taking part in golf. I’m a competitor. I attempt to do it one of the best I can,” Garcia mentioned at Pinehurst in June.

“Do I’ve to show something? No, after all not. Would I prefer to play higher and higher day-after-day? In fact, I’d. Who wouldn’t? When it comes all the way down to proving issues, I don’t suppose so. I feel I’ve finished effectively sufficient.”

Garcia has had a wonderful profession and season, one many followers and pundits have neglected. Certainly, he has finished “effectively sufficient,” however he would additionally serve Europe effectively at Bethpage Black. His kind could change all through the 2025 season, however proper now, Garcia is without doubt one of the recreation’s prime gamers. So sure, he would nonetheless be a drive the Individuals wouldn’t wish to face on Lengthy Island subsequent 12 months.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Make sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.