Sergio Garcia insists he could be part of the European Ryder Cup team in 2025 if he and the DP World Tour can “find middle ground” on a return to the tour. The 44-year-old terminated his World Tour card in May 2023 after joining the Saudi-backed LIV golf league.
Garcia, who is Europe's Ryder Cup record scorer with 28.5 points, has missed just two events since his debut 25 years ago.
But he still needs to overcome some “pending sanctions” before reapplying for DP World Tour membership, according to a tour spokesman.
“If things improve with the European Tour and they ask for something close to what we ask for, then the decision is 99 per cent,” Garcia told GolfMagic of a potential return to the tour.
“But if they can’t make it a little easier — I’m going to give something up — but they need to give something up as well.
“If we can find a middle ground, then you'll see me playing some European Tour events. If not, it'll be a little more difficult – but hopefully that won't be the case.”
The Spaniard added: “[Returning to the Tour is] This is what I have wanted to do since I joined LIV Golf. Mainly because I wanted to qualify for the Ryder Cup and possibly put together another team and help Europe defend their title there.
“But I've said from the beginning that the European Tour is where I come from. For me, it's my home tour and I want to support it.
“I feel like I still have a lot of push in the game and I can help out in some tournaments that I would love to play in. Hopefully the European Tour and the players and things like that, hopefully things can improve for everyone and we can achieve that That goal. That’s my main goal.”
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald was asked about the possibility of Garcia playing in the Ryder Cup during a press conference in New York earlier this week.
The Englishman teased the player's return, explaining: “First of all, obviously he resigned from his membership a few years ago but we've had a few chats.
“He is considering rejoining. He has to follow all the rules and regulations like everyone else and if he does that then he will be eligible for the Ryder Cup again.
“We had a chat on the phone a few weeks ago. He was certainly very interested in it. He understood everything that was involved and whether he was ready to do it or not, the decision would have to be made by him. But we did have that discussion ,Yes.”
