Ryder Cup vice-captain concerned about losing Valderrama to LIV Golf

European Ryder Cup vice-captain Edoardo Molinari expressed significant concern that Valderrama could be on the verge of a collaboration with LIV Golf.

After Adrian Otaegui become the first player from the LIV Golf Tour to win on the DP World Tour at the Estrella Damn N.A. Andalucia Masters, Molinari tweeted his congratulations but also his worries.

In September, it was reported by James Corrigan of the Daily Telegraph that Valderrama could be in talks to host an event on the Saudi-backed series in 2023, as Greg Norman looks to make movements in Spain.

According to reports, Norman sees Sergio Garcia as an important part of negotiations, but for now, the DP World Tour remain confident that a deal won't materialise.

"Well played Adrian Otaegui, incredible scoring around Valderrama. Let’s just hope we can keep playing a @DPWorldTour event there in future years... it’s definitely my favourite venue of the year! Hopefully, the members at Valderrama will make the right decision," Molinari posted.

Well played Adrian Otaegui, incredible scoring around Valderrama. Let’s just hope we can keep playing a @DPWorldTour event there in future years…it’s definitely my favorite venue of the year! Hopefully the members at Valderrama will make the right decision.

— Edoardo Molinari (@DodoMolinari) October 17, 2022

Despite the vagueness of the Italian's tweet, it is likely that the threat of the LIV Golf Tour is what he is referring to. Valderrama hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup when Seve Ballesteros captained Europe to victory against America.

Earlier last week, Robert MacIntyre described the famous venue as "the closest thing we have to Augusta National." It has hosted the Andalucia Masters since 2010 and it is a venue that the DP World Tour would very much like to exclusively keep.

Otaegui broke the 72-hole record at the event by reaching 19-under. People such as Alejandro Larrazabal and Lee Westwood were critical of the Tour's coverage of Otaegui throughout the week supposedly due to his association with LIV Golf.

As for Molinari, he has already had to go through significant change ahead of next year's Ryder Cup as Henrik Stenson was effectively removed as captain for joining LIV.

He will now work alongside Luke Donald as Europe attempt to steal back the trophy that was so embarrassingly taken from them by America in 2021.