Sergio Garcia reveals ‘good, bad and ugly’ of LIV Golf after quitting league

Sergio Garcia has delivered an honest assessment of his five seasons with LIV Golf, describing the “good, bad and ugly” of the breakaway league as he explained why he decided to walk away.

The Spaniard was one of LIV Golf's original signings in 2022 and initially emerged as one of the league's biggest supporters. 

Garcia captained Fireballs GC throughout his five years with the circuit, winning two individual titles and seven team events.

But the 46-year-old ultimately decided against signing up for LIV's proposed 2027 relaunch, choosing instead to bring his time with the league to an end.

The 2017 Masters champion revealed that restoring relationships and a lack of clarity over LIV's future were among the key factors behind his decision.

“Yeah I was big supporter of the league from the start and I think the product of LIV was very good,” Garcia told GolfMagic.

“But unfortunately it just wasn’t run particularly well.”

Garcia's comments have taken on added significance following Thursday's confirmation that LIV Golf is heading for an orderly wind-down after its proposed rescue deal collapsed.

During a US bankruptcy court hearing on November 5, lawyers for the league confirmed that plans for a revamped, player-owned version of the competition – known as LIV 2.0 – had been abandoned.

"The debtors are not currently proceeding with the LIV 2.0 plan," Gibson Dunn partner Matthew Williams told the court.

"Instead, the debtors are toggling to a value-maximizing wind-down in their business."

The proposed relaunch had been dependent on securing fresh investment and commitments from a sufficient number of LIV's leading players.

BC Partners Credit had agreed to become the league's new lead investor, with up to $300 million in funding potentially available. 

However, that backing was conditional on securing the player support needed to make the new structure commercially viable.

That ultimately proved impossible, with a number of LIV's biggest stars, including Garcia, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Smith and Tyrrell Hatton, all opting against committing to the proposed new era.

LIV attorney Matthew Williams acknowledged that the necessary support had not materialised.

"We just couldn't get to the level of combined financial and player support necessary for a viable LIV 2.0 in the required timeline," he said.

For Garcia, however, the uncertainty surrounding LIV's future had already become a major factor in his decision to leave.

Garcia wanted to rebuild DP World Tour relationships

Garcia admitted there were several reasons behind his decision to quit LIV Golf, but one of the most significant was his desire to get back to Europe and repair relationships on the DP World Tour.

The Spaniard first made his name on the European circuit in 1999 and has since claimed 16 victories there, highlighted by a major win at The Masters in 2017. 

Having spent four years away from the Tour while playing with LIV, he acknowledged that some of those relationships had become strained – and that returning to his roots was an important part of his decision to come home. 

“One of the main reasons why I decided not to continue, well there were several reasons, but I think that I want to kind of restore some of the relationships that I had before I went to LIV, some of the relationships that maybe got a little bit colder and a little cooler, and I want them to kind of get back to as close as possible to where they were before,” Garcia told GolfMagic. 

“Also, there were just too many unanswered questions when it came to LIV 2.0 that I just wasn't sure about and I didn't want to be there without knowing some of the answers to those questions.”

The uncertainty surrounding LIV's future, combined with his desire to rebuild relationships on the DP World Tour, ultimately helped convince Garcia that the time was right to return to the European circuit he has always considered home.

Garcia reflects on ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ of LIV Golf

Despite his criticisms, Garcia was keen to stress that his time with LIV Golf was not without its positives.

The Spaniard enjoyed individual success, winning a playoff against Anirban Lahiri on home soil at LIV Golf Andalucia in 2024 before claiming a three-shot victory at LIV Golf Hong Kong in 2025.

He also led Fireballs GC to seven team titles, including a run of three consecutive wins in 2025, working alongside players including David Puig, Jose Luis Ballester, Abraham Ancer, Luis Masaveu and Eugenio Chacarra.

Garcia believes the team format and the league's global ambitions were among its strongest features.

“Yeah, some of the things were great,” he said.

“To be able to play as a team, to travel the world, to expand the game of golf and bring so many high quality players and some big names to some parts of the world where they don’t get to see that often, I think that was super exciting.

“But then at the same time, there were a few too many things that were not run the right way, and too many uncertainties.

“So I guess that’s the good, the bad and the ugly, but it was a good experience and I definitely enjoyed it.

“Being there with my teammates, the young Spanish guys and having them around me, teaching them a little bit and learning a little bit from them too, it was a lot of fun.”

Garcia excited for DP World Tour return and PGA Tour future

Garcia's focus now turns to the DP World Tour, where he will return for a full schedule in 2027 alongside the likes of Rahm and Hatton.

The Spaniard has consistently described the European circuit as his “home”, and he is looking forward to reconnecting with old friends and helping strengthen the Tour's future.

He has also left the door open to a potential PGA Tour comeback once his suspension expires in late August 2027. 

While his immediate priority is the DP World Tour, he would welcome the opportunity to explore his options in the United States.

A future move to the PGA Tour Champions is also on his radar. Garcia turns 50 in January 2030, making him eligible for the senior circuit.

The Spaniard also spoke to GolfMagic about Eddie Pepperell's controversial ‘dementia’ jibe last week, offering a measured response to the Englishman's comments.

For now, Garcia is ready to move on from LIV Golf and begin a new chapter with the DP World Tour – a circuit he has always considered home.