Luke Donald has revealed he has been in conversation with Sergio Garcia over a potential Ryder Cup return, with the LIV Golf star showing interest in being involved in the European setup for 2025.
Garcia has announced himself as a stalwart of Team Europe throughout his career, winning more points than any other player on the Ryder Cup stage. The Spaniard was left out of the 2023 event in Rome however, having resigned from the DP World Tour following his move to LIV.
As things stand Garcia remains ineligible to represent the Europeans at the Ryder Cup in any capacity having quit the DP World Tour in 2023. Tour rules stipulate that all members must remain members to play in Team Europe colors.
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Even if Garcia were to reapply for membership though, the DP World Tour recently confirmed to Mirror Sports that he would have to settle fines he owes to the circuit for competing in ‘conflicting’ LIV events whilst on the membership list, with the tally reported to be over $1 million.
This has however not stopped the Spaniard from connecting with captain Donald over a possible role in 2025. “Yeah we chatted on the phone a couple of weeks ago,” Donald said of Garcia in a ‘One Year to Go’ press conference alongside rival Keegan Bradley in New York.
“He is certainly very interested in doing that. He understands everything that is involved, and again, the decision has to go to him whether he is prepared to do all that, but certainly we have had that discussion yes.” Garcia’s playing record in the event is an incredible one, having amassed 28.5 points as a player, more than anyone else in history.
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Sergio Garcia has featured in 10 Ryder Cups and he is one of Europe’s greatest-ever players in the tournament. (
FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Come to next year’s Ryder Cup, however, Garcia will be 45, which could see the Spaniard potentially take up a non-playing role. Donald meanwhile has revealed that the Spaniard discussed both options during their recent phone call.
“He thinks he can play. He wants to play. He’s talked to me about being an assistant captain, but he has to rejoin the tour before any of those conversations progress.” Having included no LIV members in his 2023 team, Donald revealed he is more than open to including them next fall if they follow DP World Tour protocol.
The DP World Tour’s policy has been very consistent,” the former world No. 1 claimed. “It really is the same as it was in Rome. You have to be a member of the European Tour and born in Europe, and if you fulfill the regulations and rules the DP World Tour set then you are eligible. There are a bunch of LIV guys that are eligible so I can pick them at will.”