Will we see Sergio Garcia teeing off in Bethpage Black? For the Americans? Maybe… wait, did we just say for the Stars and Stripes? Surely, we must be joking. Well, yes, we say that in a bit of a jest, but looks like that’s what the golf community is talking about. 

Before you get confused and squinch your eyebrows, let’s just clear the air: Sergio Garcia was named an Honorary Texan. In case you didn’t know—sorry Texans, but you can’t expect every Californian to know they can be made an Honorary Texan, right?—That’s an honor the south central state bestows upon eligible people.

Moreover, the Spaniard has a long history with Texas, making his PGA Tour debut there. In fact, his first Tour victory was in Colonial. He has won thrice in the Lone Star state. His wife, Angela Akins, is also from Texas. The one-time major winner is settled in Austin, Texas, as well.

But he was honored for his work outside the greens. Cesar Blanco, a member of the Texas senate, tweeted that the Sergio & Angela García Foundation and FORE Kids ATX had made a tremendous impact in the state. So, the State decided to honor the veteran LIV Golfer.

There are no hard and fast five-page eligibility criteria, David Courtney wrote in Texas Monthly some two years back. Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, made the cut courtesy of his massively impactful charity work in the state. “Proud to be made an Honorary Texan today by the State of Texas Legislature. Thank you to everyone who supported me today at the Texas State Capitol,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

Fellow Honorary Texans include Bob Dylan, Phil Collins, Don McLean, Chuck Norris, Bob Hope, and golf legend Arnold Palmer. Of course, Garcia was proud. But just so you know, being an Honorary Texan doesn’t allow any special privilege beyond, well, being an Honorary Texan (although it’s been said that Texans take mighty pride in bestowing the honor). 

But now the question arises, how do we land from Texas to New York? 

Well, in the latest Fried Egg Golf podcast, Andy Johnson kick-started the conversation by saying that Garcia is now an official Texan. “Does this make him eligible for the US Ryder Cup team?” Brendan Porath replied, “We claim him. He claims it.”

The joke, as you might have guessed already, stems from Garcia’s desperation to tee off in Bethpage Black. He believes he is a valuable member of the European team. Or, at least, would be should he could be given a chance. Garcia is the all-time leading point scorer in the Ryder Cup, and his passion for the biennial event begs no question. 

But there is a little snag. 

Can Sergio Garcia qualify for the Ryder Cup?

He is a LIV Golf pro. Meaning, that the chances of directly qualifying for the Ryder Cup are as good as you becoming an Honorary Texan. Garcia has to rely on Luke Donald, his former Ryder Cup teammate and now the team captain’s nod of approval. Which prompted another round of sarcastic comments from the podcasters. 

“I think he is now a Texan, which makes him an American, which makes him ineligible for the European Ryder Cup team,” Porath joked in the podcast. Garcia would scoff, or maybe just casually ignore all the jibes. He is still hopeful that someone is watching his efforts. The Spaniard has won twice in LIV Golf in the last twelve months and scored a further four top-five finishes. 

Interestingly, in more recent times, Sergio Garcia has become more realistic, almost bordering on being philosophical about the biennial event. So said the former major winner, “Obviously, I want to make that team as badly as possible. But if, for a reason, I don’t make it, it’s still fine. It’s not like my life is going to end.” Garcia will tee off in LIV Golf Miami next week, the final tournament before the Masters.