Sergio Garcia left out of this year’s Ryder Cup, took a short break from golf before returning casually. Despite the disappointment, he recently showed support for Luke Donald’s team in an Instagram post, signaling no hard feelings as the event approaches.

The Spaniard shared a carousel of moments on the course, with the trophy, and with his team in his past appearances. He captioned the post: “Tomorrow starts what, in my opinion, is the best tournament in our sport, @therydercup. I can’t wait to watch and cheer on @rydercupeurope as they defend the Cup. Hope to be part of the team again in the future! #GoTeamEurope 💙💛🇪🇺.”

While he reinstated his bittersweet feelings towards not making the roster, Sergio Garcia reflected his true character with this inspiring message. Not only does it bring forward Garcia’s selfless sportsmanship and dedication to European pride, but it also highlights the team’s strong chemistry and unwavering camaraderie.

The team, featuring headlining stars like Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, is ready to defend its Marco Simone title. Standing by his fellow teammates with whom Garcia had teed it off in all the Ryder Cup editions, except for the 2010 edition, when he took part as a vice-captain. That included 10 player appearances, with LIV disputes barring his 2023 Ryder Cup entry. Boasting the record of most points scored in the event, Garcia’s Ryder Cup record sits at 28.5 in 25-13-7 matches.

In light of his impressive Ryder Cup resume, his exclusion from the team only raises questions. However, a better look at his performance ever since 2024 paints a clearer picture.

While Sergio Garcia maintained a strong performance and flashes of brilliance across certain matches on the LIV circuit, his form soon began to take a dip. In 2024, Garcia managed 7 Top 10 finishes, including 1 win and 3 runner-ups. However, across the PGA Tour, things looked different.

The Spaniard failed to qualify for the Open Championship, finishing two strokes short of the required score. Moreover, Garcia competed in the Masters, where he missed the cut with a 7-over par. Consequently, the marquee Spanish golfer finished T12 at the US Open. However, things truly went south after his Hong Kong victory in March this year.

Consistently finishing outside of the Top 20, Garcia struggled on the LIV circuit, too. Across the PGA Tour, matters were worse. Garcia competed in 3 majors after failing to qualify for the US Open, Oakmont. With a 4-over par, the LIV golfer missed cuts again at the Masters. He finished T67 at the PGA Championship and T34 at the Open. His dipping performance and inconsistent shots off the tee failed to make a case for Captain Luke Donald, putting him out of the Ryder Cup for the second consecutive edition.

While that sparked disappointment and an impulsive break from golf from Garcia, other European players seem to be on the same page with Donald. European number 1 Rory McIlroy openly shared his opinions, expressing that he felt Donald had done a good job at assembling the team. Other players like Shane Lowry and Collin Morikawa also rallied behind Donald for his exceptional leadership. Even fellow LIV golfers, like Jon Rahm, who supported Garcia, had to agree with Donald on the decision.

However, it appears that what was once a stinging heartbreak has turned into a moment of appreciation for the team. With his post, Garcia reflects his humility and resilience, while also showcasing his strong bonds with his former teammates and Captain Luke Donald. Speaking of whom, the captain flaunted his commitment to the Ryder Cup with a powerful Opening ceremony speech, taking digs at the American team.

Captain Luke Donald stuns viewers with honest take on Ryder Cup

Captain Donald is looking to lead back-to-back wins and their 5th away Ryder Cup victory this year. However, Donald understands the difficulty of the ambitious goal. Speaking at the Ryder Cup Opening ceremony, he addressed his team’s motivation at the event. Moreover, he also criticised the financial implications of the event for the American team. This financial compensation is the first time in Ryder Cup history that a team will get paid to play. While the Americans brought charitable contributions as an argument, this decision has still garnered widespread criticisms. Donald shared his unflinching take on the New York stage.

“The Ryder Cup means so much to each and every one of us. It is unlike anything else in our sport. It is not about prize money or world ranking points,” Donald shared on Wednesday. “The toughest roads lead to the greatest rewards. We are fuelled by something money cannot buy: Purpose, brotherhood and a responsibility to honour those who came before us, while inspiring those whose time is yet to come.”

While not directly mentioning the American team, Donald’s speech marks a subtle dig at their opponents. While calling out Bradley’s squad for their shallow approach to the event, he also reinsinuated the meaning and symbolism of the Ryder Cup.

These comments are not unique to the captain, with the entire European golfing league expressing contempt. Even from the sidelines, Sergio Garcia is showing his support for this sentiment. García’s post reflects his enduring pride and loyalty to Team Europe, reinforcing the spirit and legacy of the Ryder Cup.