The Ryder Cup snub still vexes Sergio Garcia. Wearing the European Blues, the Spanish legend had lifted the cup six times in his ten outings. In fact, Garcia is still the highest point earner for Europe. Involved in the patriotic showdown since 1999, the veteran’s last Ryder Cup victory came at Le Golf in 2018. Six years later, the Spanish International admits it’s “engraved in my heart” and expresses his desire to tee up at the patriotic showdown once again. 

It’s his compatriot, Jon Rahm, who gives him hope. Notably, for Rahm, too, Ryder Cup chances were the main cause of concern before joining the breakaway league. Garcia, however, hopes that the 2023 Masters champion becomes the bridge and irons out the impending problems.

Sergio Garcia gets candid about his Ryder Cup future

Rahm’s $566 million LIV Golf switch has already changed the perception regarding the breakaway league. Sergio Garcia hopes that it will also work as a lucky charm for him to join the DP World Tour once again. Speaking to the Standard, the 16-time DP World Tour winner said, “It would be nice for Jon to be a bridge to join the DP World Tour and be a member again, play a few tournaments, and be eligible to have at least a chance of playing the Ryder Cup,”

Garica resigned from his home circuit after DPWT imposed hefty fines for joining the PIF-backed side. There were earlier reports that the Spanish veteran was willing to pay millions in fines and come back to the fold. Garcia confirms, “I was going to [reapply for membership] this year – I talked to my managers, I talked to my wife.” But eventually, he changed his mind.

The 43-year-old was baffled that the European Tour still banned players for a year after paying the fine. For Garcia, “it’s not worth it.” The Spaniard reaffirms, “I’m not willing to get my membership, pay all my fines, and then get banned for a year. That doesn’t make any sense.” One player was always in touch with him, regardless.

Ryder Cup team saw him as a leader, Garcia reveals

On the veterans’ snub, two of the European stalwarts had totally different positions. Rory McIlroy admitted that it was strange not to see the likes of Garcia in Marco Simone and claimed that the veterans would miss this more than the current Ryder Cuppers are missing them. On the flip side, Rahm, frankly, admitted that Garcia should have been here. In fact, Garcia revealed that the 29-year-old indeed “reached out to me and said they were seeing me as one of their leaders,” 

Read More: “[Rahm] Should Probably Thank Us”: Sergio Garcia Confesses After Rory McIlroy Calls the Masters Champion’s LIV Switch a “Smart Business Move”