Golf star Sergio Garcia has pulled out of the 2025 Irish Open just hours before European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald announces his six captain’s picks.
Garcia, the record Ryder Cup points scorer, had been aiming for a return to the European Ryder Cup team but is widely expected to miss out on a captain’s pick this year.
This video covers the latest on Garcia’s withdrawal, his current form, the impact of LIV Golf participation, and what it means for his Ryder Cup and DP World Tour future.
We also highlight key players in the Irish Open, including Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton, plus insights on the Ryder Cup selection process.
Keywords: Sergio Garcia withdrawal, Irish Open 2025, Ryder Cup 2025, Luke Donald picks, LIV Golf, DP World Tour, Rory McIlroy, European Ryder Cup team
Stay tuned for in-depth analysis of golf’s biggest events and player updates.
The RDER Cup drama unfolds. Sergio Garcia’s lastminute withdrawal. In a surprising turn of events, Sergio Garcia, the legendary golfer, has withdrawn from the Irish Open mere hours before the highly anticipated announcement of the European Rder Cup team’s captain’s picks. This move has sent shock waves through the golf community, leaving many wondering about the implications for Garcia’s Rder Cup aspirations. Darcia, a veteran of the sport at 45, had returned to the DP World Tour this season with a singular focus to reclaim his spot on the European Rder Cup team. With an impressive record of 28.5 RDER Cup points, he was aiming to join the elite ranks of Sir Nick Faldo and Lee Westwood, who have both made 11 appearances on the team. But here’s where it gets controversial. Luke Donald, the European skipper, had previously revealed to Golf Magic that Garcia’s chances of making the team were slim. Donald stated that Garcia would need to prove himself at LIIV Golf’s season ending team championship to even be considered for a captain’s pick. However, Garcia’s team, Fireballs GC, finished a disappointing eighth in that tournament. And this is the part most people miss. Garcia’s participation in other major tournaments such as the Masters, USPGA, and the Open doesn’t count towards his DP World Tour membership. To maintain his membership for next season, Garcia needs to play in a total of four tournaments on the DP World Tour schedule, excluding the majors. If he fails to meet this requirement, he risks losing his membership status. A spokesperson for the DP World Tour confirmed to Golf Magic that if a player doesn’t make their minimum, they fall out of membership. This means Garcia must find two more events on the DP World Tour this season if he wants to return to the circuit in 2026. Currently ranked 188th in the DP World Tour rankings, Garcia could still make a comeback by winning the Spanish Open in early October, which would propel him into the top 70 and earn him a place in the DP World Tour playoffs. The playoffs, which begin in Abu Dhabi in November, offer Garcia a chance to secure his spot for the following season. However, Garcia’s ranking in the official World Golf Rankings, OWGR, has taken a hit, dropping to 411th due to the lack of points accumulation from LIIV Golf League events. Despite winning his second career title on LIIV Golf in Hong Kong in March, Garcia faces an uphill battle to regain his former glory. The Irish Open featuring LIIV golf duo Tierrell Hatton and Brooks Kepka is headlined by home favorite Rory Mroy. While both Mroy and Hatton have secured their spots on the European Rder Cup team, Kepka missed out on a pick for the US team, the tournament takes place at the K Club in Kildair, adding to the drama surrounding Garcia’s withdrawal. So, what do you think? Is Garcia’s withdrawal a strategic move or a sign of his fading relevance in the golf world? Should he have done more to secure his place on the European Rder Cup team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
