Sergio Garcia makes Ryder Cup stance clear on phonecall with Luke Donald

Sergio Garcia was left out of the 2023 Ryder Cup following his resignation from the DP World Tour, but the Spaniard has spoken to captain Luke Donald about a potential return in 2025

Luke Donald has disclosed that he's been in talks with Sergio Garcia about a possible Ryder Cup comeback. The LIV Golf star has shown interest in being part of the European team for 2025.

Throughout his career, Garcia has been a mainstay of Team Europe, earning more points than any other player on the Ryder Cup stage. However, the Spaniard was excluded from the 2023 event in Rome after resigning from the DP World Tour to join LIV.

As it stands, Garcia is ineligible to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup in any capacity since he quit the DP World Tour in 2023. According to tour rules, all members must remain members to play in Team Europe colours.

Even if Garcia were to reapply for membership, the DP World Tour recently confirmed to Mirror Sports that he would have to pay fines he owes to the circuit for competing in 'conflicting' LIV events while on the membership list. The total is believed to be more than $1 million. Despite this, the Spaniard has been in touch with captain Donald about a potential role in 2025.

"Yeah we chatted on the phone a couple of weeks ago," Donald said of Garcia in a 'One Year to Go' press conference alongside rival Keegan Bradley in New York, reports the Mirror US.

"He is certainly very interested in doing that. He understands everything that is involved, and again, the decision has to go to him whether he is prepared to do all that, but certainly we have had that discussion yes."

Garcia's playing record in the event is an incredible one, having amassed 28.5 points as a player, more than anyone else in history. However, by next year's Ryder Cup, Garcia will be 45, which could see the Spaniard potentially take up a non-playing role.

Donald has revealed that the Spaniard discussed both options during their recent phone call. "He thinks he can play. He wants to play. He's talked to me about being an assistant captain, but he has to rejoin the tour before any of those conversations progress."

Despite not including any LIV members in his 2023 team, Donald added he is open to including them next fall if they follow DP World Tour protocol.

"The DP World Tour's policy has been very consistent," the former world No. 1 claimed. "It really is the same as it was in Rome. You have to be a member of the European Tour and born in Europe, and if you fulfill the regulations and rules the DP World Tour set then you are eligible. There are a bunch of LIV guys that are eligible so I can pick them at will."