After Choosing Money Over Legacy, LIV Golf Defector Sergio Garcia Pays the Price for His $40,000,000 Decision

Sergio Garcia was known as the nearly man on the PGA Tour. After years of coming agonizingly close, the Spaniard finally became a Major Champion as he clinched the Green Jacket after a playoff with Justin Rose at Augusta in 2017. Besides the PGA Tour, the 43-year-old competed in golf tournaments on the European Tour as well, which allowed him to maintain a respectable position in the golf world rankings. But all that changed when he opted for a lucrative payday and signed the dotted line for LIV Golf.

The decision may have resulted in a windfall for Sergio Garcia, but his association with Greg Norman’s money-led tour has come at a price.

LIV Golf’s Sergio Garcia sees a massive drop on the OWGR leaderboard

Ever since numerous players joined LIV Golf, they immediately had to face several consequences for their controversial decision. CEO Greg Norman has been trying to make things better for his professionals for a really long time. However, he hasn’t been able to provide them access to gaining OWGR points despite all his efforts. And being part of the LIV Golf circuit, Sergio Garcia is currently facing a major setback! This comes just months after he fell outside the top 100 for the first time in 23 years!

As per the official OWGR website, the golf star has dropped out of the world’s top 150 players. Sitting at the 153rd rank on the leaderboard, this is definitely a serious downgrade for the golfer. 

Sergio Garcia’s move to the breakaway circuit came as a shock for the fans. As per reports, the golfer allegedly signed a $40 million deal with LIV Golf. The player with the most match wins in Ryder Cup history made over $35 million as on-course earnings last year, and it was speculated that a major amount of it came from his LIV Golf offer.

Joining LIV Golf also cost the player his participation in the upcoming Ryder Cup! But according to Garcia, he has no regrets about his decision to join the Saudi league. “I’ve definitely made the right decision,” he said. “I feel like I’m where I want to be… I don’t want to be a burden to anyone and even less in a Ryder Cup.”

Read More: Golf World Fumes at ‘Classless’ Sergio Garcia Following Latest Revelation

Despite plummeting in the rankings, there is one thing that will allow Sergio Garcia to rise in the leaderboard. This will also see him potentially rekindle a rivalry with a familiar face.

Sergio Garcia can look to regain some OWGR points at Augusta

All winners at the Augusta National Golf Club qualify for every single Masters Tournament held in their lifetime. According to the Augusta National Golf Club’s announcement, LIV Golf players, who are eligible to participate, will be allowed to play at the 2023 Masters Tournament. This means LIV Golf rebels like Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson, and Sergio Garcia will tee off at Tea Olive and look to gain some valuable OWGR points.

Besides these Green Jacket winners, several other LIV players have already qualified for the event, including Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka.

One intriguing potential pairing for the tournament could be Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods. The duo has had an interesting past and haven’t crossed paths on the PGA Tour for a while, thanks to Garcia’s switch to LIV and Woods’ injury. Should they be paired together on any day, it would be a treat for golf fans all over.

Can Sergio Garcia make the most of this opportunity to secure OWGR points and get back into the top 150? What do you make of his fall in the OWGR due to his decision to sign with LIV Golf?

Watch This Story: Sergio Garcia Belittles Tiger Woods With Latest Awkward Dig