Luke Donald reveals details of chat with Sergio Garcia: "He understands"

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald says Sergio Garcia was 'more than supportive' the last time the pair spoke. 

Donald and his team of 12 golfers and five vice-captains have already done a recce in Italy ahead of the showdown later this month. 

For Donald it will be the first time he is involved in a Ryder Cup without Garcia. 

And for Europe, it will be the first time in 24 years they will be without their record points scorer.  

Garcia has played in 10 Ryder Cups and appeared in one as a vice-captain in 2010. 

His record is a stellar one, having emerged victorious with Europe on as many as seven occasions. 

Of his 28.5 points, 13.5 were from foursomes, 10.5 in fourball and 4.5 in singles. 

Garcia's future in the contest was thrown into doubt when he signed up to play LIV Golf events in 2022. 

Only a few weeks before playing the inaugural LIV Golf event, the Spaniard was caught ranting and raving on the PGA Tour. 

"I can't wait to leave," hot mics picked up Garcia saying after he was completely hosed by a ruling. 

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If Sergio Garcia was eligible for the Ryder Cup this year, would you pick him?

— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) August 2, 2023

Garcia has made some inflammatory remarks over the past year and his relationship with his home circuit has completely deteriorated. 

In April, Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter resigned their DP World Tour memberships which made them ineligible for this year's Cup. 

Speaking to ESPN, Donald praised the attitude of Garcia - who famously fell out with Rory McIlroy - amid the unprecedented disruption in men's professional golf in 2022. 

McIlroy and Garcia have now buried the hatchet thanks to their wives Erica Stoll and Angela Akins getting involved. 

Donald told the publication:

Last October Garcia opened up on the difficult position Donald was in. 

He replaced Henrik Stenson after he was axed as Ryder Cup captain following the Swede's decision to also play LIV Golf events. 

Jon Rahm has consistently backed Garcia to be involved, but other golfers (such as McIlroy) weren't too pleased with any potential involvement from LIV golfers. 

"I've always said I love the Ryder Cup too much," Garcia previously said. "I obviously would love to keep being a part of it. When I see that so many people are against (me playing) if the team is better without me, I'd rather be out of it.

"There's obviously several guys who feel strongly that way. The (DP World) Tour is on that same thought. So I don't want to be something that might hurt the team. I love the Ryder Cup too much."

Read more:

• Golf fans all saying same thing after seeing latest Team USA Ryder Cup pic
• Here's the real reason why only one LIV Golf player was picked for Ryder Cup
• "SAVAGE!" Europe start Ryder Cup mind games early vs USA with "brutal" post!
• Report: Spieth, Cantlay and Schauffele miss first Ryder Cup practice session

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