Jon Rahm has welcomed Sergio García back to the DP World Tour fold and said his Spanish compatriot remains one of the best players in the world who can have a big impact on Europe’s Ryder Cup ambitions later this year.
García’s switch to the LIV circuit and subsequent resignation from the DP World Tour appeared to close the door on an iconic Ryder Cup career for the 45-year-old. However, García rejoined the DP World Tour in November, paying around £1m in fines, in a bid to make a dramatic Ryder Cup return at Bethpage. According to Rahm, his fellow Spaniard is still one of Europe’s top dozen players.
“For people that see him any given day, Sergio García can a can hit it tee-to-green better than anybody on the planet,” said Rahm. “It’s that simple. He’s still that good and he’s still very valuable.
“I understand the change in circumstances. I get it. Being Spanish and a friend and mentor [to me], I’m obviously going to be biased towards him. I would love to see him in that team room but who knows what’s going to happen.
“I also understand we did an incredible job in that last Ryder Cup having a newer team and coming together and performing the way we did. I hope, I believe that there’s a place for Sergio in there. I think there will be a place for Sergio on the Ryder Cup any given time. It’s just a matter of now letting the clubs do the talking.”
García’s reappearance on the DP World Tour is scheduled for Bahrain at the end of this month. His 2024 saw him record one victory and a quintet of other top fives on LIV. García has not, however, posted a major top-10 finish since winning the Masters in 2017. It feels highly unlikely the European captain Luke Donald would hand García a wildcard pick, meaning the 10-time Ryder Cup participant would need to qualify for Europe’s defence.
Rahm’s own Ryder Cup position is complicated by an appeal against fines and suspensions imposed on him by the DP World Tour for appearances on LIV. There is no sense of when Rahm’s case – or that of Tyrrell Hatton - will be heard. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but I can tell you my plan is to be on that team at Bethpage,” Rahm added. “I’m hoping they don’t try to settle the appeal before the Ryder Cup. I don’t think that would be good for anybody. But my plan is to be at Bethpage.”
