Jon Rahm Hopes Sergio Garcia Can Return to a Ryder Cup Someday: 'I Absolutely Would Lean on Him'
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Jon Rahm has been consistent in his stance on the players who went to LIV Golf and their participation in the Ryder Cup. While he made it clear LIV was not for him, he said he doesn’t hold the decision against anyone who went and remains friendly with several players who now compete in the LIV Golf League.
One of those is fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia, the all-time Ryder Cup points leader, who was ineligible to participate in the Ryder Cup in any way this year because he is not a member of the DP World Tour.
Rahm said he hopes a potential agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf would lead to players such as Garcia being welcomed back with the potential of being a future assistant captain and captain.
Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia were 3-0 as teammates in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits that was won by the U.S. in a 19-9 rout.
Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
"I think it would be really stupid of anybody not to lean on Sergio García's experience in the Ryder Cup," Rahm said at the BMW PGA Championship when asked about Garcia’s future in the event. "I mean, he is the best player Europe has ever had, won the most points and has shown it time and time again.
"If he were able to be a vice captain, I absolutely would lean on him. Same as we are going to lean on Ollie (Jose Maria Olazabal) this coming Ryder Cup."
Garcia surpassed Nick Faldo as the all-time points leader when he beat Rickie Fowler in singles at the 2018 Ryder Cup. He extended his points total to 28.5 points two years ago at Whistling Straits, despite a lopsided European defeat to the United States.
Garcia’s overall record stands at 25-13-7. He played in his first Ryder Cup in 1999, has missed just one since (in 2010) and has played on six winning teams.
His Ryder Cup future remains in question while the "framework agreement" talks between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia continue. Garcia was among the first group of players to sign with LIV Golf last year.
"When it comes to the game and all those players being able to be back, it's been a difficult time," Rahm said. “Obviously things have changed a little bit. I wouldn't know how to answer because we are going to have to see if it's possible or not.
"I would like to see it but unfortunately we've seen some of those players give up their European Tour status where that's no longer a possibility. So I would like to see it but we don't know what the future holds. I think with this agreement or this possible union between the PGA Tour, DP World and PIF might change things a little bit."