This Ryder Cup rule could destroy Sergio Garcia’s captaincy dreams

Sergio Garcia was always destined to be 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 is likely to prevent him – as well as fellow Europeans Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood – from having some leadership role for the European team.

According to one report from TelegraphJames CorriganThe DP World Tour adopted a rule in 2018 that “players may not be captain or vice-captain of the European Ryder Cup if they decline European Tour membership or fail to meet their minimum event obligation in any season.”

Garcia has paid over 1 million euros fine and joined the DP world tour in an effort to be qualified for the European team for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black; Westwood and Poulter have not.

European captain Luke Donald has previously suggested that Garcia can be vice captain this fall. But the European captain changed his tune at the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi last week.

“The rules will have to change if Sergio is going to be an assistant,” said Donald Telegraph. “So I haven’t thought too much about it, because this scenario is currently not allowed.”

The DP World Tour may overturn the rule depending on how and if the golf world eventually comes together. But that is unlikely to happen in time for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Garcia, who is 44, is Europe’s all-time Ryder Cup points leader and has been a stalwart for two decades. According to Data Golf, he was the 22nd best golfer in the world in 2024 when the LIV season ended, ranking him alongside Wyndham Clark and Tom Kim. Data Golf also ranked Garcia as the eighth best European player, just behind Shane Lowry. In 2024, Garcia won the LIV event in Spain and finished runner-up in three other LIV starts. It is ranked 441st in the world, according to OWGR.

The European team could use Garcia this fall at Bethpage Black, where he finished fourth at the 2002 US Open.

A Division 1 member of the DP World Tour, Garcia is eligible to play in any DP event he wishes once his suspension is lifted.

But Garcia’s dreams of playing in his 11th Ryder Cup will hinge on his ability to win one of Donald’s six captaincy picks.

Due to the suspension and LIV’s 14-week schedule, Garcia will not have enough opportunities to qualify for the team in points. He is eligible to play in the Masters as a former champion, but is not a lock to be in the field at the other three championships. The PGA of America did not grant Garcia a special exemption last year; he will have to qualify for the US Open and Open.

Actions have consequences. And, for now at least, it will cost Garcia his chance to captain the blue and gold. But that, like everything at the top level of golf, is subject to change.

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