Sergio Garcia is a free agent again – and the Spaniard has some big plans to return to the highest level…
Sergio Garcia is refusing to rule out an astonishing return to the PGA Tour and has told European captain Luke Donald he will do “everything I can” to be on his Ryder Cup team.
Garcia has been granted an official release from his LIV Golf contract by New Jersey’s bankruptcy court, effectively rendering the Spaniard a free agent while the league attempts to secure a potential $300 million investment from credit firm BC Partners.
LIV chief executive Scott O’Neil has until October 25 to convince enough players to sign up to LIV 2.0, which would include a global 10-event schedule with 75 player-fields and cuts.
But court filings show that Garcia filed a motion to terminate his contract because the wider confusion surrounding LIV was denying him other playing opportunities and sponsorship arrangements while there was ambiguity over his status.
The 2017 Masters champion told TG back in June that he plans to rejoin the DP World Tour next year, and has now stressed ahead of his return to the Open de Espana that everything is on the table.
“I don’t really know how things will play out with the DP World Tour regarding LIV 2.0,” he said, translated from Spanish, ahead of his national open at the Club de Campo Villa in Madrid.
“We’ll have to wait and see. That doesn’t mean I won’t go or that I’ll definitely stay with LIV, but settling the LIV 1.0 matter now avoids potential repercussions related to that contract. I do what I believe is best for myself, my family, and my team.
“It’s great to have plenty of options, but the decision hasn’t been made yet. When I make it, you’ll know.”
Garcia was also asked directly whether he would consider a return to the PGA Tour. “It’s a possibility,” he said. “I turn 47 in January, so it’s an option, as is the Champions Tour [when I turn 50] – I’d like to play some of those tournaments, especially the majors. These are things you have to consider at my age.”
A reconciliation between Garcia and bosses at Ponte Vedra would be extraordinary in more ways than one. Only weeks before he ditched the US circuit to join LIV in 2022, Garcia was heard telling a rules official at the Wells Fargo Championship: “I can’t wait to leave this tour.”
And clear pathways back have also not been forthcoming for LIV players, with PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp saying there are no plans to bring back the contrived program that facilitated Brooks Koepka’s return at the start of the year.
LIV golfers currently face a one-year suspension if they wish to rejoin the PGA Tour. Garcia’s main focus at this stage, though, is to get back to his best in Europe.
“We’ll see what happens with LIV 2.0 but, without a doubt, I’ll be playing on the DP World Tour,” Garcia said. “The specifics will become clearer as the winter goes on, but I’ve always said that the DP World Tour is my tour and I’ve always wanted to support it fully.
“Obviously, things have been more complicated in recent years due to how events have unfolded, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and it is my plan.”
Garcia’s relationship with his home tour has indeed been complicated. The 46-year-old resigned his DP membership after sanctions imposed on him Wentworth HQ for his conflicting LIV starts were upheld by a sports arbitration panel in 2023. He then agreed to settle around $1m in fines to revive his hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage.
When that audacious bid fell short, Europe’s all-time record points scorer failed to meet the minimum number of events required to keep his card. But after relying on sponsor’s invites, he plans to play more DP World Tour events next season in another bid to make Donald’s 2027 side.
“It’s a Ryder Cup year, so I want to give myself the best possible chance of making the team,” he said. “That would be wonderful. I also want to play in all the majors – all four, if possible – and climb the world rankings.”
Garcia missed every major except the Masters this year, where the past champion received a warning for snapping his driver against a water cooler. At that stage, Garcia seemed completely disillusioned with his game. But the world No. 141 recovered to finish his LIV season strongly and he clearly wants to prove to his good friend Donald that he’s not done yet.
“I’ve spoken with Luke,” he revealed. “I told him I’m going to do everything I can to make the team, or that I’m willing to help in any way – as a vice-captain or however else they might need me.”
If Garcia were to complete an unthinkable resurrection and make it on Donald’s team at Adare Manor, he would become the second oldest European player in Ryder Cup history after Lee Westwood in 2021. That was the beating at Whistling Straights that marked Garcia’s last start in blue and gold.
Garcia’s hopes of becoming one of Donald’s assistants in Ireland, meanwhile, would rely on a tweak to the DP World Tour rulebook. Under current regulations, players cannot captain or vice-captain for the European team if they have relinquished their tour membership in any given season.
That rule was introduced before the Paris matches in 2018, long before the LIV disruption began.
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