The entire LIV Golf debacle has had the entire golf community on edge for the past two years. Uncertain about their fates, many LIV Golf players have voiced their concerns about the mismanaged situation. Fans as well have not been too keen to follow the Saudi-based league consistently.

In the midst of all this, LIV Golf players who want to participate in the DP World Tour or Ryder Cup are taking a major hit. One of the players that is currently experiencing this issue is Sergio Garcia. Let’s take a closer look at the issue.

Sergio Garcia’s Ryder Cup dilemma

Bob Harig had an exclusive interview with Tom on the latter’s podcast, ‘Flushing It Golf’. The senior Sports Illustrated writer shared various insiders on the situation with LIV Golf including the PIF/PGA Tour deal. One of the topics that caught everyone’s attention was regarding Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter being ineligible to play in the Ryder Cup. The two pros have been denied entry to DP World Tour events and the Ryder Cup while their fellow LIV Golf player Jon Rahm has been allowed to partake in the tournaments.

Responding to the issue, Bob said, “Sergio can if he resolves the fine issue or appeals to them.” He went on to add how the DP World Tour has given a “loophole” to all the players to appeal the fine. He further added how the European Tour team has taken this step because they are “hoping that the (PIF/PGA Tour) deal gets done or that (the issue) will get resolved“. He went on to name a few players who have paid the fine or appealed against it to become eligible to play in the Ryder Cup including Paul Casey, Thomas Pieters, and others.

Culminating everything that he had just said, Bob admitted “I think the unsaid truth here is that the DP World Tour is trying to play both sides.” He went on to explain how it’s not wrong of them to do so as they have followed the rules. He said that the European Tour also won the UK Arbitration case that allowed them to enforce such rules. Having such regulations in place allows them to control the eligibility and not allow any pro to take advantage of it. Bob also explained how the DP World Tour is giving top pros from LIV Golf better opportunities by saying, “Sponsors want Jon Rahm to play in their tournament“.

While the entire situation is unnecessarily complicated, it does allow the DP World Tour to maintain peace with LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. But the decision-makers don’t necessarily treat LIV Golf as an equal to the USA-based league.

Setting their priorities straight

After Jon Rahm paid his dues to the DP World Tour, the PIF-sponsored league tried to sneak their way in as well. The Saudi team officially met the European Tour leaders to propose a common solution for all LIV Golf players. They suggested that every LIV Golf player who wishes to participate in the DP World Tour and/or Ryder Cup should not be fined. In return, the Public Investment Fund will invest approximately 6.45 million dollars in the DP World Tour. Moreover, they would also modify the LIV Golf schedule to not clash with the major events in Europe. This would allow the players to partake in both promotions without any complications.

However, the DP World Tour officials rejected the offer. As per reports from Sports Illustrated, the Europeans have claimed that their priority remains the PGA Tour. The suggested loophole is only for LIV Golf players and not the league as a whole.

It will be interesting to see how things change if and when the merger goes through. For now, do you think it is fair for the DP World Tour to enforce such laws on the LIV Golf players? Let us know in the comments section.