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

NEW YORK — Sergio Garcia nonetheless has the expertise to serve Europe properly 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 gained 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 properly on the U.S. Open, tying for twelfth at Pinehurst No. 2 after moving into the sector 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 at the moment lists Garcia because the Twenty second-ranked participant on this planet, 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 this planet. Due to this fact, 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 troublesome” wind situations.

Garcia can 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 staff in 2021, when he and Rahm had been the lone vivid spots that 12 months for his or her staff. Garcia earned three factors that week, posting a 3-1 report regardless of his aspect dropping 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However after becoming a member of LIV Golf, he rescinded his DP World Tour membership in 2022.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 quite a lot of readability round that. It’s actually the identical because it was in Rome,” Captain Luke Donald mentioned on Tuesday.

Picture by David Cannon/Getty Pictures

“It’s important to be a member of The European Tour and born in Europe. Should you fulfill the laws 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, isn’t, however Donald offered a promising improvement concerning the Spaniard’s Ryder Cup prospects in 2025.

“To begin with, clearly, he resigned his membership a few years in the past. However now we have had some chats. He’s contemplating rejoining. He’d need to observe all the foundations and laws 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 already know, he’s definitely very eager about doing that. He understands all the pieces 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 feels like he desires to play—and he has the sport to assist the Europeans. In any case, the Europeans face a tall activity in 2025: successful a Ryder Cup on American soil at Bethpage Black. Garcia, in fact, helped Europe win the Ryder Cup in 2012, the final occasion by which an away staff gained the Cup. Contemplating his sturdy type from this previous season and his spectacular match-play report, Garcia may very well be a power to be reckoned with, whilst an elder statesman.

Nevertheless, in response to 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 change into 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 each day, however he didn’t point out the Ryder Cup.

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

“Do I’ve to show something? No, in fact not. Would I wish to play higher and higher each day? After all, I might. Who wouldn’t? When it comes right down to proving issues, I don’t assume so. I feel I’ve performed properly sufficient.”

Garcia has had a fabulous profession and season, one many followers and pundits have ignored. Certainly, he has performed “properly sufficient,” however he would additionally serve Europe properly at Bethpage Black. His type could change all through the 2025 season, however proper now, Garcia is without doubt one of the sport’s high gamers. So sure, he would nonetheless be a power the Individuals wouldn’t wish to face on Lengthy Island subsequent 12 months.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. Make sure to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.