Sergio Garcia attempted to settle fines totaling around £700,000 owed to the DP World Tour from his defecting to LIV Golf in a bid to become eligible for Europe’s Ryder Cup team in Rome. The proposal was rejected after Garcia resigned his tour membership, which made him ineligible to be part of the European team in time for the match.
Garcia said the conversation with captain Luke Donald was constructive. He stated he would support the European team from home, insisting that “the only thing I can do is support the team from home—it’s as simple as that. I’ll be watching and cheering on the European team.”
With the bid denied, Garcia’s chances of rejoining the European side disappeared due to his voluntary departure from the DP World Tour. The episode underlines the ongoing rift between LIV Golf players and traditional tours and how membership status affects national-team eligibility in events like the Ryder Cup.
Context and outlook:
– The situation highlights how tour governance and player affiliations increasingly influence team selection for major events.
– Garcia’s willingness to publicly back his former teammates, despite not being eligible to compete, reflects sportsmanship and a willingness to remain part of the European golf conversation.
– For future Ryder Cups, policy changes or evolving relationships between tours could alter whether players who join LIV Golf can return to DP World Tour membership and team eligibility.
Summary:
Garcia offered to pay fines around £700,000 to regain eligibility for Europe’s Ryder Cup team in Rome, but his resignation from the DP World Tour barred him from participating. He will watch from home and support the team, signaling both disappointment and continued commitment to European golf.