Sergio Garcia’s dream of one day becoming Ryder Cup captain may be thwarted by an unknown rule, according to reports.
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Sergio Garcia was destined to become Ryder Cup captain.
But the Spanish star’s decision to join LIV Golf in 2022 and give up his DP World Tour membership in 2023 could prevent him, along with fellow Europeans Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood Lee Westwood) in any leadership role with Team Europe.
According to a report telegraphDP World Tour’s James Corrigan adopted a rule in 2018 that “a player cannot serve as a European Ryder Cup captain if he refuses European Tour membership or fails to meet minimum tournament obligations in any season.” Or vice-captain.
Garcia has paid a fine of more than €1 million and rejoined the DP World Tour in a bid to qualify for Team Europe in the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black; Westwood and Poulter Haven’t done that yet.
Europe captain Luke Donald previously suggested Garcia Can Become a vice-captain this fall. But the Europe captain changed his attitude at the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi last week.
“If Sergio is going to be an assistant, the rules have to change,” Donald said. telegraph. “So I didn’t think too much about it because that’s not allowed at the moment.”
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The DP World Tour may scrap this rule, depending on how and if the golf world finally comes together. But it’s unlikely to happen in time for the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Garcia, 44, is Europe’s all-time Ryder Cup points leader and has held that position for two decades. At the end of the LIV season, he was ranked the 22nd best golfer in the world in 2024, tied with Wyndham Clark and Tom Kim, according to Data Golf. Data Golf also ranks Garcia as the eighth-best golfer in Europe, behind Sean Lowry. In 2024, Garcia won the Spanish LIV event and finished second in three other LIV events. According to OWGR, he is ranked 441st in the world.
Team Europe could use Garcia, who finished fourth at the 2002 U.S. Open, this fall at Bethpage Black.
As a Level 1 DP World Tour member, Garcia is eligible to compete in any DP event he wants after his suspension is lifted.
But Garcia’s dream of playing in an 11th Ryder Cup will hinge on his ability to earn one of Donald’s six captain’s picks.
Due to the suspension and LIV’s 14-week schedule, Garcia will not have enough opportunities to qualify for the team with points. As a former champion, he is eligible for the Masters but not the other three majors. The PGA of America did not grant Garcia a special exemption last year; he had to qualify for the U.S. Open and Open Championship.
Actions have consequences. And, for now at least, Garcia will lose his chance to captain the blue and gold. But like everything at the top level of professional golf, that could change.
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