European LIV golfers hopeful of Ryder Cup return

Ryder Cup veterans Henrik Stenson and Sergio Garcia remain hopeful that they will feature in future Ryder Cups.

The LIV Golf pair were expelled from wearing blue and gold after jumping ship to the Saudi-backed circuit last year.

Stenson was set to be Team Europe’s captain this September, while Garcia scrapped his playing possibilities after he resigned his DP World Tour membership.

But the former teammates are craving a return to the biennial match soon, as they hope for a change in the Ryder Cup landscape.

Stenson said: “I hope we can see a different future down the line somewhere, whether that involves me or some of the other guys.

“If things change in the future, which I hope they will, we’ll see if there’s a time and a place for some of us to be involved going forward.”

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The 47-year-old Swede is defending his title at LIV Golf Bedminster this week, after claiming the individual title on his LIV Golf debut last year.

Stenson, who represented Europe in five Ryder Cups, also shared his regret for missing out on the trip to Italy but claims he will still back Team Europe.

“I’ve got some of my greatest golfing memories from the Ryder Cup, and a lot of my friendships were built from the Ryder Cup.

“If you’ve been part of something and then you’re not part of it, there’s certain aspects you’re going to miss, but I’ll follow and obviously support from a distance.”

Europe’s all-time leading points scorer Garcia was not certain to have a place in Luke Donald’s plans, but the Spaniard was firmly in the mix to be one of Stenson’s vice-captains.

The 43-year-old has played in nine events since bursting on to the scene in 1999, and despite removing himself from consideration, hopes to make a tenth appearance.

He said: “Yes, I would love to, obviously. It is disappointing to see that I’m not going to be able to be part of the Ryder Cup this year and the DP World Tour for the same matter.

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“At the end of the day, I’m happy where I am, and that doesn’t change. But hopefully there will be a way back and something that we can work on, and we’ll see what happens in the future.”

The 2017 Masters champion will not be able to build on the partnership he formed with fellow countryman Jon Rahm.

The world number three has been adamant about wanting to play with Garcia, despite playing their golf on different tours.

Rahm admitted that if he was captain, then he would choose Garcia ‘even if he was missing a leg’.

Garcia said: “Yeah, we’ve talked a lot about it. Everyone knows how much I love the Ryder Cup and the bonds that we’ve been able to build and are created in those Ryder Cups.

“Obviously, Jon is no different. We had a great time. We obviously are good friends, and our friendship kind of got even stronger after the last Ryder Cup.

“Yeah, it is going to be a shame. I will miss him, too.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.