Sergio Garcia confirms absence from 2023 Ryder Cup to avoid "hurting" team
Sergio Garcia said that some European players and the DP World Tour don't want him to play at the Ryder Cup in 2023, hence why he's made himself ineligible.
LIV Golf player Sergio Garcia has effectively ended his illustrious career in the Ryder Cup after admitting he doesn't want to be somewhere he isn't wanted.
Speaking to Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Garcia admitted that various DP World Tour players and the DP World Tour itself don't want the Spaniard to be a part of Team Europe.
The former Masters champion expressed his love for the Ryder Cup, but having not entered next week's Mallorca Golf Open, he will not fulfil the four tournaments he needed to play on the Tour to be eligible for captain Luke Donald's team.
At the BMW PGA Championship in September, Garcia fuelled the angst that some golf fans feel towards him when he withdrew from the flagship event after one round. He was later pictured at a college football match in Texas.
The Spaniard has been fined for these actions, an incident that signifies a disappointing end to a Ryder Cup career which saw him become the continent's highest-ever points-scorer in the tournament's history at the 2018 renewal.
"I’ve always said I love the Ryder Cup too much. 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," Garcia said ahead of the LIV Golf Jeddah Invitational.
"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.
"Obviously it’s sad for me, how much I love the Ryder Cup and everything I’ve been able to do with Europe there. That’s the way they want it. I’m just helping out.
"I've talked to him, but Luke is in a tough situation. He’s the captain, but at the same time, he has to look at all the players, what they’re thinking and what they’re feeling. Also the tour. So it’s a tough spot for him."
The 42-year-old said he considered entering the event at Son Muntaner Golf Club next week, but he feels he wouldn't be welcome. It seems his broken relationship with the Tour he has won 16 times on is irreparable.
While playing with Jon Rahm at the 2021 Ryder Cup, the pair won three points together. Rahm has called for the historic event to rise above the tension that has come about since the emergence of the LIV Golf Tour.
Greg Norman's new series is looking to secure Official World Golf Ranking points in the near future, and Garcia believes the OWGR see the Saudi-backed league as a threat.
"We were excited about it, but I don't think it's over. We're still fighting on it and trying to get what we think we deserve. Hopefully, it'll come around soon," Garcia said at the LIV Golf Bangkok Invitational.
"At the end of the day, we're very happy where we are. If they keep blocking us, it's because they see us as a threat. So that's a good thing to have."
