Sergio Garcia shows true colours with message to DP World Tour over Spanish Open absence

Three out of four Spanish golfers from the LIV Golf setup will be returning to the DP World Tour for this week's Spanish Open in Madrid, but Sergio Garcia won't be among them.

Garcia has made a name for himself as a Spanish legend on the golf course throughout his career, particularly shining in the Ryder Cup setup where he has won more points than any other player at the matchplay event while representing Europe. However, his relationship with the home of European golf, the DP World Tour, has deteriorated in recent years.

Two years ago, Garcia was one of the big names to switch to LIV Golf, joining fellow European stalwarts Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson.

While his move to Saudi Arabia did not result in an automatic ban from the DP World Tour - unlike the action taken by the PGA Tour in the United States - it did have some repercussions. After months of negotiations, the DP World Tour finally won an arbitration case in April 2023 that allowed the circuit to fine and suspend its members for participating in 'conflicting' events on the LIV setup.

Naturally, Garcia fell into this category, marking a bitter end to his 27-year relationship with the European circuit. Alongside Poulter and Westwood, Garcia chose to resign his membership from the DP World Tour due to the sanctions, also signalling the end of his Ryder Cup career, reports the Mirror.

Spanish golf luminary and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia has yet to reapply to the Wentworth-based circuit amidst ongoing sanctions, leaving him out of play for the upcoming home Open in Madrid.

Garcia lamented missing the event at the Club de Campo Villa but remains optimistic. "I wish I could have the chance to play, unfortunately I won't be," he shared with Mirror Sport as the Spanish Open looms on the horizon.

"I have had the pleasure of doing that [previously], and it is huge for Spain, Spanish golf, and Spanish sports in general. I am sure it is going to be an amazing week next week in Madrid, and then a few weeks later in Sotogrande [for the Andalucia Masters], so hopefully an amazing time there."

In Garcia's absence, Jon Rahm takes center stage as Spain's current golfing standout. Amidst swirling controversy, Rahm faces his own challenges: he must participate in three more DP World Tour events before year-end to maintain membership status, critically impacting his eligibility for the Ryder Cup.

Despite concerns over his eligibility to compete, Rahm will be participating in a tournament in Madrid this week. He had appealed against sanctions imposed on him earlier this month.

Speaking ahead of his entry at LIV Chicago two weeks ago, Rahm stated it was his 'duty' to compete in his home Open. His fellow Spanish golfer Garcia believes Rahm's participation is crucial for the event and Spanish golf.

Garcia emphasised the importance of Rahm's participation in their country's flagship event, stating: "Any time you can have your best players playing in your country and playing the national Open [it is important]."

While Garcia won't be joining Rahm, two other Spanish LIV members, David Puig and Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra, will be competing in Madrid.

Both Puig and Lopez-Chacarra turned professional in 2022 to join the breakaway league and are exempt from punishment as they were not previously DP World Tour members. They are eligible to compete this week through the 'National Spots' exemption category on the DP World Tour, which allows players from the host nation who are not already qualified to participate.

Puig and Lopez-Chacarra, who both play alongside Garcia as part of the Fireballs team on the LIV circuit, will be representing their team on home soil. The team captain expressed his excitement about seeing his teammates compete, saying: "It is great for us to have a couple of guys there representing the Fireballs,".

"I said earlier, the more good quality Spanish players you can have playing around Spain and playing our opens, it is massive and super important. I am very proud of them to have the chance of going there and represent, and hopefully they can have great weeks."