Report: LIV Golf's Sergio Garcia rocked by devastating Ryder Cup news
LIV Golf's Sergio Garcia has reportedly been told that he will never be able to be European Ryder Cup captain while a little-known rule exists.
LIV Golf's Sergio Garcia will never be a European Ryder Cup captain while a little-known rule exists, according to a report.
Telegraph Sport have reported the rule - which was introduced in 2018 - prevents the Spaniard from also being a vice captain.
"Players cannot be a European Ryder Cup captain or a vice-captain if they decline membership of the European Tour or fail to fulfil their minimum event obligation in any season."
Back then, there was not even a whisper of a breakaway tour being formed and backed by Saudi oil money.
The rule was only introduced to try and persuade big names from letting their membership expire in Ryder Cup years.
Garcia resigned from the DP World Tour in 2023 after a sports arbitration panel ruled against the former Masters champ and other LIV defectors.
A panel of former high court judges determined the Wentworth-based circuit had the right to issue sanctions against the golfers for competing in LIV events.
Rather than continue to rack up fines, Garcia and the likes of Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter resigned from their home circuit.
Ladies & gentlemen, Sergio Garcia!#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/008tlUxbP1
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2018
Garcia recently got his membership back and paid off his £1m fines to re-ignite his dream of being involved in the Ryder Cup as a player.
He is the record points scorer in the contest having amassed a whopping 28.5 over nine appearances.
Garcia made his debut in 1999 and has played a total of 49 matches.
He is particularly strong player in the foursomes and has only lost once in the Sunday singles - to Anthony Kim - in 2008.
He could qualify for the team in September automatically if he plays out of his skin this season.
Sergio Garcia hits the opening tee shot of the 2020 Ryder Cup. #TeamEurope #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/uNxmKcncUF
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 24, 2021
But the more likely scenario is that he will have to rely on a captain's pick from Luke Donald.
Donald is in Abu Dhabi this week overseeing the Team Cup.
The event gives the Englishman the opportunity to assess golfers from Continental Europe and Great Britain and Ireland.
In other Garcia news, he has recently confirmed the final signing for his LIV team.
Luis Masaveu has signed a multi-year contract with the Fireballs.
Masaveu, 22, replaces Eugenio Chacarra.
Chacarra has given an explosive interview to FlushingIt, where he hit out at the broken promises that LIV made.
Read more about that here.
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