EXCLUSIVE: Sergio Garcia beaming as his Fireballs ignite ahead of 2026 LIV Golf season

Sergio Garcia could hardly hide the smile on his face. Speaking exclusively to GolfMagic Editor Andy Roberts during his off-season, the Fireballs GC captain had every reason to be proud — and every reason to believe his team is catching fire at the right time.

Just hours earlier, 23-year-old David Puig had stormed to his maiden DP World Tour victory, producing a composed, ruthless performance at the BMW Australian PGA Championship. 

It came a week after another Fireball, Josele Ballester, 22, clinched his first pro title at the PIF Saudi International on the Asian Tour. 

Two weeks, two trophies, two rising Spanish stars — both wearing Garcia’s colours.

For LIV Golf superstar Garcia, already the all-time Ryder Cup points record holder and one of the most decorated Spanish golfers in history, the moment was personal. 

This wasn’t just about results; it was about witnessing the future of Spanish golf — and the future of his team — announce themselves with authority.

Puig’s breakthrough in Brisbane

Puig’s victory on Sunday at Royal Queensland Golf Club was historic. 

Finishing on 18-under par, he held off Wenyi Ding by two shots to become only the second Spaniard ever to win the Australian PGA Championship, following in the footsteps of Garcia's hero Seve Ballesteros. 

The triumph was made even sweeter by the circumstances: it was Puig’s first start as a full DP World Tour member after a season spent as an affiliate.

The Australian PGA also marked the opening event of the new 2026 DP World Tour season. Puig didn’t just win — he sent a message.

Ballester lights it up in Riyadh 

One week earlier, 22-year-old sensation Ballester claimed the PIF Saudi International, shooting 22-under par for a commanding three-shot victory. 

It was his first professional triumph, but anyone who has followed his amateur résumé — 2020 Spanish Amateur, 2023 European Amateur, 2024 US Amateur — knew it was only a matter of time.

He then backed up his victory on the Asian Tour by closing with a 66 to backdoor a top-10 finish at the BMW Australian PGA. 

Ballester, like Puig, is a star in the making, and both have chosen to grow under Garcia’s leadership.

Garcia: “I just couldn’t be happier...”

When asked about his teammates’ blistering form, Garcia, 45, couldn’t contain his delight.

“I am super proud of both of them,” Garcia told GolfMagic.

“To see the way Josele played in Riyadh and win the Saudi International was awesome to get his first professional win, so super super happy and proud of him, and then to also see David the week after go and win the BMW Australian PGA and the way he played too — I just couldn’t be happier. 

“I’m excited to see my teammates play that well at the end of the year, and really looking forward to next year and to keep that run going. 

“The Fireballs, we look strong. We look good. So I’m really excited about 2026.”

Two wins, two continents, two rising Spanish stars. Garcia knows momentum when he sees it — after all, he’s spent a career riding and creating it. The next step is LIV Golf victories. 

A possible all-Spanish Fireballs? 

Rumours continue to swirl that the Fireballs are close to completing an all-Spanish roster for 2026, at least according to Ten Golf. 

Mexico’s Abraham Ancer is understood to be exploring a move to Joaquin Niemann's Torque GC, while 22-year-old Spaniard Luis Masaveu — who appeared nine times for the Fireballs this season — has been linked with a return.

Garcia declined further comment to GolfMagic on changes, but Masaveu’s CV speaks for itself. 

Masaveu is a two-time Eisenhower Trophy representative for Spain, a two-time European Amateur Team champion, and the first Spanish amateur to make the cut at The Open — doing so at Royal Troon in 2024 while Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy travelled home. 

The young Spaniard has pedigree, promise, and the respect of his compatriot captain.

Should Masaveu rejoin Puig and Ballester under Garcia, the Fireballs would enter 2026 with four Spaniards — each at different stages of their careers, but all trending upwards.

Fireballs heating up for 2026 LIV Golf season

The Fireballs already proved this season they can get hot in a hurry, winning three consecutive team events in Adelaide, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Garcia himself lifted his second LIV Golf individual title in Hong Kong.

But what’s happening now feels different, and Garcia can sense it. 

Puig and Ballester are no longer “potential stars” — they’re now proven winners. 

And with Garcia’s experience guiding them and a hungry young talent like Masaveu potentially completing the quartet, the Fireballs appear to be building something far more dangerous than a fleeting run of form.

They look like a team ready to explode out of the blocks when the 2026 LIV Golf League tees off in February — rather fittingly for Ballester at Riyadh GC where he just won his first pro win. 

Garcia is bursting with pride like a proud father, and it’s easy to see why. His teammates aren’t just playing well — they’re proving they can win anywhere and now at the very top level. 

The Fireballs are coming in hot. Extremely hot, and their LIV Golf rivals have been warned.