'I’d Rather Be Out Of It' - Garcia Feels Frozen Out Of Ryder Cup
The all-time Ryder Cup record points scorer says he will keep away if he's not wanted by current players
Sergio Garcia says he loves the Ryder Cup too much to become a distraction or hurt the team by trying to get involved while the row with LIV Golf is still rumbling on.
The all-time record Ryder Cup points scorer can’t qualify for the 2023 event in Rome after he failed to enter next week’s Mallorca Open meaning he won’t make the qualifying criteria on the DP World Tour.
With the likes of Rory McIlroy, who was a good friend before LIV, saying he feels the breakaway golfers shouldn’t play at the Ryder Cup, Garcia accepts that he may not be wanted at the event he’s starred in over the years.
And Garcia has no intention of trying to muscle in on the Ryder Cup if the players don’t want him there – saying he has too much love for the competition.
“I’ve always said I love the Ryder Cup too much,” Garcia told Sports Illustrated. “I obviously would love to keep being a part of it. When I see that so many people are against it - 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 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.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
With all the animosity between both Tours and LIV Golf, along with the current European players being uneasy, Garcia is highly unlikely to get a pick even from good friend and captain Luke Donald.
“I’ve talked to him, but Luke is in a tough situation,” Garcia added. “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.”
Fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm has tried to stand by Garcia and diffuse the situation, saying: “The Ryder Cup is not the PGA Tour and European Tour against LIV. It’s Europe versus the US, period.”
At 42, Garcia was a long shot to make the team for Marco Simone Golf & Country Club anyway, but as it stands a more sad and significant outcome is that the most successful player in Ryder Cup history will not be the European captain he seemed destined to be.
Garcia, with 10 Ryder Cups, seven wins and a 25-13-7 record, can still look back on his impact on the event with fond memories – even if his relationship with golf’s ultimate team contest now comes to an end.
“It’s been amazing,” Garcia said. “The good thing is the way I look at it is I’ve been fortunate to be a part of many of them and many successful ones.
“Amazing relationships. There’s been a lot of good things. I’ve been able to achieve a lot with the European Tour. It’s not like I feel I have something to prove or anything like that at all.”
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
How To Play The Long Lazy Lob Shot: Get Out Of Trouble Around The Greens With This Essential Short Game Saver
The long, lazy lob shot is a short game essential for when the only option is to go airborne with your chip shot. Our expert PGA pro explains how to nail it...
By John Howells Published
-
World Wide Technology Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
The FedEx Cup Fall section of the PGA Tour season heads to Mexico, as Erik van Rooyen defends his title
By Mike Hall Published
-
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
The DP World Tour Play-Offs section of the season begins with the first of two elevated events to decide the Race to Dubai champion
By Mike Hall Published
-
How Much Money Rory McIlroy Has Made Every Year On The PGA And DP World Tours
Rory McIlroy is one of the highest paid golfers in the history of the sport - but how much has he won each year on the PGA and DP World Tours?
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
Did Rory McIlroy Forecast ‘Cutthroat’ PGA Tour Changes?
The PGA Tour is set to vote on several key changes to the circuit - including the reduction of field sizes, which McIlroy called for earlier this year...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The 4 LIV Golfers Currently Qualified For The DP World Tour Championship
Jon Rahm is one of four LIV Golf players in with a chance of qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship
By Paul Higham Published
-
Jon Rahm And Ludvig Aberg Among Big Names Missing Abu Dhabi Championship As Rory McIlroy Headlines Field
The entry list for the first DP World Tour Play-Offs event is in, with the top 70 teeing it up at Yas Links next week
By Elliott Heath Published
-
PGA Tour Pair Clear Favorites As Early Odds Released For 'The Showdown'
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been strongly tipped to triumph in their exhibition match against LIV golfers Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Showdown: Date And Course Set For Las Vegas TV Match Featuring McIlroy, Scheffler, DeChambeau And Koepka
More details on the venue and date for the made-for-TV contest featuring Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have been released
By Mike Hall Last updated
-
Rory McIlroy Sees Tours 'Doing Their Own Thing For The Foreseeable Future' As Talks Over Future Of Men's Pro Game Continue
The four-time Major winner thinks there could be progress in the talks by the end of the year, but that it could be some time until the main circuits come back together
By Mike Hall Published