Sergio Garcia: Ryder Cup 2025 return could be on cards as Luke Donald reveals Spaniard considering rejoining DP World Tour

Sergio Garcia is considering rejoining the DP World Tour in order to be
eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup, according to Europe captain Luke Donald.

Garcia resigned his membership in May 2023 after an arbitration panel found in favour of the DP World Tour and ratified its right to fine and suspend players who competed in LIV Golf events without permission.

A day later, the DP World Tour then revealed that Garcia was the only one of 17 players initially sanctioned not to have paid his £100,000 fine, “nor has he given any indication that he intends to”.

Speaking at an event in New York to mark less than a year to go to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage, Donald said: “He (Garcia) resigned his membership a couple of years ago but we have had some chats.

“He’s considering rejoining; he’d have to follow all the rules and regulations like everyone else and if he does that he will be eligible to partake in the Ryder Cup.”

Asked if Garcia, who is the leading points scorer in the Ryder Cup and partnered Donald on several occasions, was serious about rejoining the Tour for the 2025 season, Donald added: “Yeah, we chatted on the phone a couple of weeks ago.

“He’s certainly very interested in doing that. He understands everything that’s involved and again, the decision has to go to him whether he’s prepared to do all that.

“But certainly we’ve had that discussion.”

Donald on Rahm and Hatton: ‘There’s a good chance that they could make it automatically’

While Garcia was absent from Europe’s Ryder Cup line-up in Rome for just the second time since his first appearance in 1997, countryman Jon Rahm and England’s Tyrrell Hatton did feature in Donald’s victorious side but have since switched to LIV too.

The pair though are aiming to remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection by playing in the required four DP World Tour tournaments and have each appealed against their respective outstanding fines for defecting to the rival series.

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports News, Donald was asked if it would be more helpful for him if Rahm and Hatton made his team for New York automatically rather than relying on a captain’s pick.

“I mean, likely, yeah, they’re obviously very strong players and they continue to play some great golf,” replied Donald.

“We obviously keep track of all the stats on all the tours of all the players and understand, how well or not they are playing. We’re a long way off from that but if they can continue on this form and and win events like they have been, then there’s a good chance that they could make it automatically.

“Time will tell, certainly.”

Donald said that the idea of awarding Ryder Cup-qualifying points to LIV players “was certainly talked about” among the game’s decision-makers but he was comfortable with the current eligibility criteria staying in place.

“That was a decision that rested on the DP World Tour and with negotiations and where we are in the game of golf, it didn’t feel like it was necessary,” added Donald.

“That wasn’t the case in Rome. And we’ve kind of been very consistent with that process.

“We’re happy with the qualification criteria. And I think everyone, including the guys on LIV, are happy and understand that as well.”

Sky Sports will continue to be the home of the Ryder Cup, with all three days of the 2025 contest from Bethpage Black, New York exclusively live. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and more with NOW.