Sergio Garcia reacts to Rory McIlroy's comments about Ryder Cup betrayal

Sergio Garcia has insisted he has made the correct decision to join LIV Golf as he responds to whether or not he has "a problem" with Rory McIlroy.

Ben Smith's picture
Fri, 28 Oct 2022
Sergio Garcia reacts to Rory McIlroy's comments about Ryder Cup betrayal

Sergio Garcia says he doesn't have a problem with Rory McIlroy "or any of them" as he once again stated he feels as though he "definitely made the right decision" in joining the LIV Golf Tour

Speaking to the media ahead of LIV Golf's $50m season-ending event at Trump National Doral in Miami, the 42-year-old Spaniard said he doesn't want to be a burden to anyone and "even less in a Ryder Cup". 

Garcia went as far as saying that he would "rather be away from that as much as it hurts and make sure Europe has the best chance of winning". 

His comments come after he denied flying off the handle during the BMW International Open in Germany earlier in the season when news of his £100,000 fine and suspension from the DP World Tour was confirmed after he played in LIV Golf's first event at Centurion Club in June. 

Related: Bryson DeChambeau slams "petty and childish" PGA Tour

The 2017 Masters champion is now ineligible for Luke Donald's Ryder Cup side that will be heading to the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club next September. 

He has not played the minimum number of four events on the DP World Tour to be picked even if he isn't banned. 

A court hearing in February will determine whether or not the former European Tour will have the power to prevent LIV Golf players from participating in their events. 

It is likely a very sad end to the Ryder Cup career of Europe's all-time leading points scorer. 

Asked about his decision and his experiences from being involved with LIV Golf so far, Garcia said: 

"Yeah, I feel like we've -- I can only speak for myself, but I've definitely made the right decision. I feel like I'm where I want to be.
"Obviously I knew some of the things that might happen if I joined here, but at the end of the day, as we're seeing, you can see that some of the guys on the other side don't really want me there.
"I don't want to be a burden to anyone and even less in a Ryder Cup. I'd rather be away from that as much as it hurts and make sure that Europe has the best chance of winning than me being there and three or four guys that are going to be there are going to be upset or something.
"I think the Ryder Cup is bigger than any of us or me for that matter, even with my record, and I'm happy to be able to be here and enjoying my time with my three partners and trying to build something that is very exciting and that we're extremely proud of."

The aforementioned McIlroy, 33, spoke earlier in the week about feeling a "sense of betrayal" by those Ryder Cup Europe stalwarts who have joined LIV. 

McIlroy said he would have preferred to change things in professional golf from the inside and "not be a disruptor". 

His comments appeared to baffle the likes of Ian Poulter. 

Garcia said of McIlroy:

"I don't have a problem. You're asking the wrong person. That's all I'm going to say. I don't have a problem with any one of them."

Garcia will go under the knife after LIV Golf Miami to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. 

LIV Golf have not confirmed their schedule for next season, but it is expected to be confirmed soon with the league starting in February. 

Trump National Doral is once again expected to host the season-ending team championship. 

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