Sergio Garcia claimed his second LIV Golf title in Hong Kong, shooting a 7-under 63 to win by three over South African Dean Burmester.
Sergio Garcia strengthens Ryder Cup bid with LIV Golf victory in Hong Kong
Sergio Garcia has the Ryder Cup on his mind after emerging victorious in Hong Kong.
Jack Milko has been playing golf since he was five years old. He has yet to record a hole-in-one, but he did secure an M.A. in Sports Journalism from St. Bonaventure University.
After the win, Garcia received a question about the Ryder Cup, and whether or not European Captain Luke Donald tuned in to see the victory.
“I think he’s watching,” Garcia said.
“We’ve been in touch, so I know that he’s keeping an eye. The only thing I can do is keep playing good golf, and I just want to help the European team like I’ve tried to do every single time I’ve been a member of that team, and hopefully he will think I’m good enough for it.”
DataGolf currently lists Garcia as the 37th ranked player in the world and he is also the 11th-best European in the standings. He has the game to make the team, especially if he plays well in the majors this year. Garcia tied for 12th at last year’s U.S. Open.
But when Garcia joined LIV Golf in 2022, he resigned his DP World Tour membership, which forbade him from playing for the European team in Rome in 2023. Since then, he has worked to make amends with the DP World Tour, hoping to become a member soon so he can represent the Blue and Gold of Europe at Bethpage Black.
“I’ve had talks with the European Tour, and I still want to support the European Tour, so hopefully, we all come to an agreement, and that can be restored,” Garcia said in November.
“I feel like my game’s still good enough to play at least two or three Ryder Cups, so if I can keep that level going, hopefully everything gets sorted and we can get to that point.”
Garcia is the winningest Ryder Cupper of all time. He has won 28 points over his 10 appearances for Team Europe, helping his side emerge victorious on six occasions. He last played in 2021 at Whistling Straits, where the Americans dominated, winning 19-to-9. Yet Garcia played well, winning three points and posting a 3-1-0 record. Only Jon Rahm won more points for Europe than Garcia did that week.
“We have had some chats. He’s considering rejoining [the DP World Tour,” Donald said in October in New York.
“He’d have to follow all the rules and regulations like everyone else, and if he does that, again, he will be eligible to partake in the Ryder Cup.”
If Garcia keeps playing well, Donald will have no choice but to pick him for his team. By the sounds of it, he will be eligible to play for him too.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
