LIV Golf star Sergio Garcia’s return to the DP World Tour has received mixed reviews as the Spaniard bids to play in the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Garcia has paid $1.3 million in fines to return to the European tour following his contentious exit to become the captain of Fireballs GC. He has paid the fines to return to his former circuit in order to maintain his eligibility for next year’s Ryder Cup in New York.

Along with the fines, Garcia must serve a nine-week suspension, starting this week. But his decision to return has led to a divided response among tour pros, particularly given the explosive nature of the 44-year-old’s exit.

Back in May 2023, Garcia sensationally resigned from the DP World Tour after a panel of former high court judges ruled those who played in LIV Golf events without authorization breached tournament regulations. Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, and Martin Kaymer also quit the Tour.

The move appeared to signal the end of Garcia’s illustrious Ryder Cup career; he is Europe’s leading points scorer with a remarkable 28.5 from 10 appearances. Tour pro Romain Langasque reacted to the latest news on social media, declaring the Tour needs stars like Garcia and adding: “Best news of the day.”

However, Adrien Saddier lamented Garcia’s U-turn, posting: “It hurts my — to read that he is going to get his Category 1 back after all the venom he has spat out. They don’t want to grow the game anymore.”

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Sergio Garcia is set to return to the DP World Tour after leaving for LIV Golf back in 2022

Sergio Garcia is set to return to the DP World Tour after leaving for LIV Golf back in 2022 ( 

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Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When his initial fine was confirmed, Garcia was on the range preparing for the BMW International Open in Germany. He reportedly fumed and warned his colleagues that they should have taken the Saudi money. Scottish star – and Ryder Cup champion – Robert MacIntyre witnessed the outburst and posted on X at the time: “Amazing how fast you can lose respect for someone that you’ve looked up to all your life.”

Garcia has been extremely critical of the DP World Tour, their former chief executive Keith Pelley, and the lack of world ranking points for breakaway tour players. After he withdrew from the BMW PGA Championship in October 2022, he told The Times: “I didn’t divide this thing. The shots have been coming from the other side, left and right. I don’t understand why it has to be so personal at the end of the day.”

Garcia has not revealed what his 2025 schedule will look like yet, although he will play 14 LIV events as well as the Masters, and will likely need captain Luke Donald to pick him for Team Europe. Donald previously revealed Garcia must honor the sanctions before he is considered to play at Bethpage Black next year.