Sergio Garcia is preparing to rejoin the DP World Tour for the 2025 season in a bid to compete in next year’s Ryder Cup. As the event’s record points scorer, Garcia is eager to match Lee Westwood and Nick Faldo’s record of 11 appearances in the competition. However, before he can make his return, the veteran Spaniard has had to settle outstanding fines, reportedly totaling over £1m, imposed on him for his previous defection to play in LIV Golf events. In addition to paying the fines, Garcia will also have to serve a suspension before he can compete on the DP World Tour once again.
Garcia made headlines last year when he resigned his membership from the European circuit after an arbitration panel ruled in favor of the DP World Tour’s right to fine and ban players who competed in LIV Golf events without authorization. The former Masters champion has since submitted an application to rejoin the DP World Tour before the deadline, and a spokesman for the tour has confirmed that Garcia has paid his fines but will need to complete his suspension before returning to competition.
European players hoping to be selected for the Ryder Cup must be members of the DP World Tour and participate in a specific minimum number of events on the tour. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has expressed his support for Garcia’s return to the tour and eligibility for the team. Garcia, who captains the Fireballs GC team in LIV Golf, secured his first individual title at LIV Golf Andalucía at Valderrama this past summer, demonstrating his competitive prowess.
Tyrrell Hatton, another player who recently joined LIV Golf, has been included in the GB & Ireland squad for the Team Cup, a warm-up event for the European Ryder Cup team. The event, scheduled for January in Abu Dhabi, will feature a 10-a-side team matchplay competition between GB & I players and Continental Europe, with Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose serving as captains. Hatton, who has participated in the last three Ryder Cups, faced uncertainties about his future in the competition after his switch to LIV Golf but successfully appealed the sanctions imposed by the DP World Tour to retain his membership.
Despite not being selected for the Team Cup, Garcia is expected to resume playing in DP World Tour events starting in February, coinciding with the beginning of LIV Golf’s 2025 season. The Tournament Cup line-ups feature various high-caliber players, with one player from each team yet to be announced. The competition aims to evaluate players and explore potential partnerships ahead of the Ryder Cup. Both Garcia and Hatton will be looking to showcase their skills and earn spots on their respective teams as they navigate the dynamic landscape of professional golf.
