Former world number 1 keeps Sergio García around for DP World Tour; what did Rahm say?
Whatever Jon Rahm said about Sergio García was sufficient to make him reconsider remaining a member at the Ryder Cup. What did he say to him?
The Spanish golfer Sergio García plans to “postpone” his possible departure from the DP World Tour, after announcing that he wasn’t “feeling the love” at the European Tour.
“I’m pretty clear about what I’m going to do with the European Tour. Probably leave it. Honestly, I want to play where they want me. On the European Tour I don’t feel loved right now”, Garcia said with mixed feelings at the end of the ‘British Open’ on July 17.
The decision came after García signed up for the new Saudi-financed LIV Golf Invitational Series, a circuit with succulent financial prizes which has caused a schism in the world of golf. In fact, the European Tour and the American PGA have sanctioned those who have chosen to play for this new tour.
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However, García changed his mind after being influenced by his compatriot and former world number one Jon Rahm, “When I finished the Open I said I would probably give up my DP World Tour membership and that obviously meant not being eligible for the Ryder, but thanks to the things Jon Rahm said, I had a couple of good conversations with the folks at the Open circuit and I’m going to postpone that,” he explained in statements to ESPN on Monday.
What did Jon Rahm say about Sergio García?
Following the British Open, Rahm had told Spanish reporters that it was a pity to see the division between the DP World Tour, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf in “such a beautiful sport.” He also said he understood why some golfers chose to play LIV Golf and that it’s a shame they have to relinquish their status on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
He then pointed out his frustration towards his fellow Spaniard, “Sergio knows very well that he has dedicated his life to the European Tour in his 25 years as a pro,” Rahm said. “That they turn their backs on him that way doesn’t seem right to me. And it is what it is. It is not my decision and that he has to make this decision. It hurts me.”
We think the words that really did touch García however were when Rahm talked about golf and its purpose:
“The event that gives golf the most publicity around the world is the Ryder Cup,” he said. “Because of this nonsense there are players like (Garcia) who can’t play the Ryder Cup. That already makes me a little more angry. It is something that creates this sport. It is the reason that my family and I started playing golf and the reason that many in this world play golf.”
García is now all in
García has already spoken with the CEO of the DP World Tour, Keith Pelley, to whom he told that he wants to continue “being a member” of the circuit. “I want to play my minimum, continue to support him and have my eligibility to be part of the Ryder team. He told me that that was great, but that they had to do what was best for them. We’ll see what that is,” he admitted.
“I want to see what happens when the qualifying period for the Ryder starts and see what kind of rules and eligibility they have. If I agree with them, I will definitely continue to play what I can on the tour and try to qualify for that team. And if not, then we’ll move on. But it’s definitely something I have in mind,” added the 2017 Augusta Masters champion.
In any case, the 42-year-old was “sad” about what happened with the Swedish Henrik Stenson, who by getting involved in the LVI Series automatically lost his status as European captain. “Now it’s gotten a bit sadder with fines and bans and what they did to Henrik is a bit sad,” he lamented.