Are we ever going to see or not see the weirdly timed merged deal between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour? With little to no information available to the public, fans have no choice but to speculate about the situation. We receive vague answers, and that’s all there is to it. But, there are a few instances where things are a bit clearer. For example, there is a high possibility of LIV players and the Tour golfers to come H2H. Is that a good thing?

Even Rory McIlroy seems excited about the idea of it. If there’s one golfer who has largely changed his stance on the merger, it’s him, especially when it comes to crediting LIV Golf for helping to increase purse sizes in PGA Tour events. Last month, he expressed his desire for the merger to be finalized. He said, “I think everyone’s just got to get over it and we all have to say ‘OK, this is the starting point and we move forward. We don’t look behind us, we don’t look to the past.”

That seems good, but what does the star golfer think about the possible selection of LIV players like Sergio Garcia for the European Ryder Cup? Well, that’s where the real divide comes. He said, “I would have to be convinced. I would have to be convinced.” In the latest developments, he has received an emphatic response to his hostility.

Sergio Garcia last appeared at the latest LIV Golf event in Hong Kong. After shooting a seven-under-par 63, the Spanish golfer won by three shots, marking his second individual victory. He will be looking ahead at the Masters tournament. Garcia has often expressed his desire to play in the Ryder Cup. But, is he hoping that Luke Donald, the captain for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team, is watching his performance? After all, he has delivered some top-notch play.

Garcia responded with confidence. “I think he’s watching. 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. Hopefully, he will think I’m good enough for it.”

Interestingly, last year Luke Donald mentioned that he had held talks with Garcia. “Obviously he resigned his membership but we have had some chats. He is 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.” However, considering Garcia’s current position outside of the world’s top 400, he would need to be one of Luke Donald’s six wildcard picks. So, the ball is really in Donald’s court. Here’s a look at Sergio Garcia and his journey with the Ryder Cup.

Sergio Garcia and his relationship with the Ryder Cup

The 45-year-old golfer missed his chance at the 2023 Ryder Cup after joining the Saudi-backed league. Consequently, he resigned from the DP World Tour in 2023, along with golfers like Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Martin Kaymer, and Graeme McDowell, after they lost their arbitration case. However, the Spanish golfer has since made peace with the DP World Tour by paying his estimated £1 million ($1.2 million) fines.

The ball is undoubtedly in Luke Donald’s hands; however, there’s a reason why Sergio Garcia is such an enticing choice. His record in the Ryder Cup is unrivaled, and he has earned more points (28 ½) than any European player in the event’s history. Garcia joined the Ryder Cup back in 1999 as a 19-year-old, making him the youngest Ryder Cup participant. That record still stands today. In his 10 appearances since then, he’s bagged 25-13-7 record in 45 matches! Doesn’t that sound impressive?

Interestingly, according to Jon Rahm, it would be “stupid” not to pick Sergio Garcia. “I think it would be really stupid of anybody not to lean on Sergio García’s experience in the Ryder Cup. I mean, he is the best player Europe has ever had, won the most points, and has shown it time and time again. If he were able to be a vice-captain, I absolutely would lean on him.”

He has such a stunning history and strong support from his fellow golfer! Do you think Garcia will receive more confident backing from Donald than he did from Rory McIlroy? Let us know!