The LIV Golf accreditation has created uncertainty in the golf world, extending beyond the majors to iconic events like the Ryder Cup. Specifically, doubts have emerged regarding the eligibility of legendary European golfers, including Sergio Garcia, the all-time leading scorer in Ryder Cup history, to participate in the 2025 tournament, fueling speculation and debate within the golf community.

Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the participation of European legends in the 2025 Ryder Cup due to their affiliation with LIV Golf, Guy Kinnings, the newly appointed DP World Tour chief executive, has provided clarity on the matter. According to Kinnings, defected golfers who are European can participate in the DPWT events, and even can be selected for Ryder Cup if they adhere to certain rules.

“If a player is European, and is a member of the DP World Tour, and abides by the rules as they currently are – so if you don’t get a release and you accept the sanctions – there is no reason why players who’ve taken LIV membership and maintained DP World Tour membership, could not a/ qualify and or b/ be available for [wildcard] selection,” Kinnings said. Kinnings’s statement offers a glimmer of hope for a resolution for golfers such as Garcia, Jon Rahm, and Hatton. It emphasizes the need for compromise to resolve the ongoing conflict between the DP World Tour and LIV Golf.

Kinnings also elaborated that the rule described is neither the new rule nor a loophole. “It’s not a not a loophole, because that’s the rules that we’ve always had. And those are the rules, we’re just going to continue to apply,” said Kinnings.

The initial expectations were that professionals such as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton would face a 14-week ban after the conclusion of the LIV season. It has now emerged upon consulting the rules that they could fulfill these suspensions during the rest weeks of the LIV calendar, even if they had not intended to participate in those events.

While the hefty fine of approximately USD 1.13 million poses a significant hurdle for Sergio Garcia, it’s not the only obstacle he faces. Additionally, he must reapply for DP World Tour membership, which he missed the initial deadline for in November. This adds another layer of complexity to his situation, making his path to regaining membership and participating in the Ryder Cup even more challenging. Despite the hurdles, Garcia hopes to rejoin the European circuit this season.

Sergio Garcia hopes to rejoin the DP World Tour

To prioritize his commitment to LIV Golf, Garcia chose to relinquish his DPWT membership last year. However, in March, the Spanish golfer disclosed his plans to rejoin the European Tour during an interview with Golf.com, stating, “I am going to be a member again of the European Tour.”

He elaborated on his intentions by saying, “I always said that I wanted to, when I joined LIV, keep being a member of the DP World Tour. Obviously they didn’t make it too easy to be able to do that, [but] I want to give myself the best possibility of playing the Ryder Cup.”

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Although hurdles may lie ahead for the 44-year-old, Kinnings’ revelation hints that Garcia could receive another chance to participate in the Ryder Cup. What’s your take on this situation? Do you think Sergio Garcia and his counterparts will be able to join the 2025 Ryder Cup? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!