Banished Ryder Cup Legend Hopes He’s Able to Play In Famed Event Once Again

Sergio Garcia, the all-time leading point scorer in Ryder Cup history, hopes that he’s not done in the biennial competition between the U.S. and European teams.

Garcia said in an interview with Golf Monthly:

“I feel like my game’s still good enough to play at least two or three Ryder Cups, so if I can keep that level going, hopefully everything gets sorted and we can get to that point.”

Garcia was ineligible for the Ryder Cup in 2023 when he forfeited his membership to the DP World Tour earlier that year instead of paying fines for missed events due to his participation in LIV Golf. He reportedly then offered to pay those fines to regain his standing but was told no. 

“I don’t usually cry, but today I couldn’t help it.” 😢

Sergio Garcia admits he couldn’t hold back the tears as #TeamEurope regained the #RyderCup.

🛣️ Read Sergio Garcia’s road to becoming Ryder Cup’s highest points scorer here 👉 https://t.co/Xey1FrXaxz pic.twitter.com/8mVqLUQ2So

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 30, 2018

Since the long negotiations between PGA Tour Enterprises and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (the organization running LIV Golf) have been going on for nearly a year and a half, plus Jon Rahm’s defection to LIV in late 2023, there seems to be some softening of stances that could see Rahm remain on the team and veterans like Garcia work his way back into receiving a captain’s selection.

“I hope that things get better and I would love to. I’ve had talks with the European Tour and I still want to support the European Tour, so hopefully we all come to an agreement and that can be restored.”

Garcia has played in 10 Ryder Cups, winning six and scoring a total of 28.5 points. If he were to compete in two more, he would tie Phil Mickelson for the record of 12 events played. 

His highlights this season have included a win on the LIV circuit – at his “home course” of Valderrama in Spain – and a 12th-place finish at the U.S. Open.

Cover Image via Sky Sports