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Europe once had its Ryder Cup captaincy for years. Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter spearheaded the blue and gold – until they joined LIV Golf and gave up membership on the DP World Tour in 2023.
The latest decision will prevent the trio from ever having a leading role in a European team, barring a rule change, according to The Telegraph.
A British newspaper reported on a DP World Tour rule introduced in 2018 which states: “players cannot serve as European Ryder Cup captains or vice-captains if they decline European Tour membership or fail to meet their minimum event commitment in any season.”
Garcia has allegedly reapplied for tour membership and paid his fines, which totaled more than €1 million, in an effort to earn the right to compete in this year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. Westwood and Poulter did not choose to do so.
Donald, according to The Telegraph, was asked earlier this week if Garcia could play an assistant role if he doesn’t make the team as a player. Then Donald mentioned the exclusionary rule.
“The rules will have to change if Sergio wants to be an assistant,” Donald said. “So I didn’t think much of it, because that scenario is not allowed right now.”
Garcia, 44, is Europe’s all-time leading points scorer and notably competed at the 2002 US Open at Betpage, where he finished fourth. He is expected to make his first DPWT start since 2022 at the Bahrain Championship, Jan. 30-Feb. 2.
