Luke Donald has hinted that Sergio Garcia could be in the running for a spot on the 2025 European Ryder Cup team, provided he adheres to DP World Tour regulations.
It was first reported by Bunkered last week that Garcia, along with several other LIV Golf players, had applied for membership on the DP World Tour in 2025.
This follows his resignation from the circuit in 2023, alongside fellow golfers Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter. A return to the Wentworth-based circuit hinged on Garcia settling outstanding fines with the DP World Tour, reportedly exceeding £1 million.
Having paid off these sanctions, Garcia is set to rejoin the circuit in the New Year. Despite facing a ban at the start of 2025, he will then be eligible to compete on the DP World Tour and accumulate Ryder Cup points.
Before clearing his fines, Garcia had discussed a potential comeback with Donald but was ineligible due to not being a DP World Tour member. Now, two months later, Garcia is back in contention, a development that captain Donald has warmly received.
“The more people I have to choose from at Bethpage, the better,” Donald told Mirror Sport. “But I’ve always said that any player has to follow all the rules and regulations of the DP World Tour like everyone else, and if Sergio does that then he can play his way into contention.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 30: Luke Donald, Captain of Team Europe walks on the 15th hole during the Saturday morning foursomes matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 30, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/PGA of America via Getty Images) (Image: PGA of America via Getty Images)
He’s now paid fines and taken up membership of the DP World Tour for 2025, so that’s an important step taken for him.
Donald was speaking ahead of the release of ‘Una Famiglia’, a behind-the-scenes documentary covering Europe’s Ryder Cup victory over their American rivals in Italy last October.The documentary – which is released on December 3 – provides fly-on-the-wall coverage of Europe’s emphatic win, which saw them bounce back from a record-breaking defeat at Whistling Straits two years earlier.
Half of the team that were defeated by the Americans in 2021 now play their golf on the LIV circuit, including Garcia.His loyalties to the breakaway league and decision to walk away from the DP World Tour saw him miss the 2023 edition last Autumn, but his intentions in recent weeks have shown he is keen to make his comeback in European colours.
Whether Garcia competes or not in 2025 though, there is no doubt the Europeans face an uphill task. Europe’s Ryder Cup team have only managed to secure one victory in the last 10 tournaments, with that win coming from their ‘Miracle at Medinah’ triumph in 2012.
Donald was a key player in that victory and is eager to recreate such success at Bethpage Black next September. “Winning an away Ryder Cup is difficult and that motivates me,” he said.
“The fact that the players wanted me back was also a big factor. The US team remains extremely strong, and they will have a loud and passionate fan base behind them.
“The atmosphere will be tough for us. But we set a really a good blueprint to work from in Rome.”