If you need more signs that Sergio Garcia is desperate to get a chance at the Ryder Cup 2025, here is one more. The Spaniard is leaving no stone unturned for punching his ticket to Bethpage Black, even if that means coughing up nine figures in fines. Garcia was one of a handful of LIV Golf pros who surrendered their DP World Tour card after the Wentworth-HQ Tour imposed hefty fines on them. 

Apparently, the Fireballs GC captain had no intention of paying the fines. But eventually, he did last month, thereby becoming eligible to compete in the Ryder Cup again. Meanwhile, the American Ryder Cuppers will each get paid $500,000, with $300,000 of that going to charity and the remaining $200,000 serving as a stipend to represent their nation in the biennial event. This apparent contradiction was pointed out by the Flushing It Golf podcast on the X handle. They opined this is one reason why the European team is ahead of the Stars and Stripes.

They wrote, “Sergio Garcia is quite literally paying millions to try and play in the Ryder Cup next year. Meanwhile, the American team has just confirmed they’ll be paid for appearing. If you ever wondered why the Europeans upset the odds so often, there it is. It just means more!” 

Garcia is the all-time leading scorer in the Ryder Cup, accruing 28.5 points for the European team. However, his defection to the PIF-funded side wasn’t well received by many. Some pointed out the former Masters champ defected for money alone, and he was not the saint many are trying to portray him as.

Sergio Garcia is not a ‘Martyr,’ fans warn

Who has actually paid the fine to the DP World Tour? Was it Sergio Garcia? Or was it his current employer, PIF, the Saudi Sovereign Fund that bankrolls LIV? In Jon Rahm’s case, there were reports that the PIF wanted to settle the dues on the Spaniard’s behalf, but the Guy Kinnings-led Tour refused. Many on the Internet believe in Garcia’s case; it was PIF as well. 

“… the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF)… is quite literally paying millions to try to get Sergio Garcia able to play Ryder Cup….,” wrote one user. This was the recurring sentiment. Another user too wrote, “Think payment made by LIV, not Sergio.”

LIV Golf pros don’t receive world ranking points. That effectively means they don’t have a chance to earn the six automatic qualifier spots unless they perform stupendously well in the majors. This fiasco, though, was a probable outcome, and even players knew it. 

“LIV guys took millions knowing they would be left out of the Ryder Cup. Not the flex you think it is,” one user commented. Perhaps none really foresaw this issue dragging on for three years. Nevertheless, the initial bad blood between LIV golfers and their former tours is still a raw wound for many. 

One such fan lambasted Flushing It Golf for justifying Garcia’s switch. “I mean, he’s paying millions because of a decision he made years ago. So don’t make it out like he’s some sort of martyr. He absolutely torched the tour that allowed him to play on the Ryder Cup; he’s not the hero you’re making him out to be.” Similarly, another commented, “Hilarious take considering he gave up his chance to play the Ryder Cup for…you guessed it…money!!!” When Garcia switched, the reports came that he had signed a multi-year deal worth $40 million. This season itself, he has earned around $17.3 million in prize money on the breakaway circuit. 

Getting a spot in the Ryder Cup will be tough for Sergio Garcia. The Spaniard will likely have to rely on the captain’s nod for a chance. Currently, the former Masters winner ranks 436th in OWGR.