Garcia has settled his differences with the European Tour, paid the fines levied for unsanctioned LIV appearances and arrives at Augusta with the full backing of skipper Luke Donald.
Garcia’s move to LIV in 2022 was toxic. He didn’t just leave the European Tour, he torched it in a vitriolic rant at the BMW International Open in Munich, the very tournament he plans to play in June as part of his rehabilitation. “This Tour is s***. You’re all f***ed,” Garcia reportedly said.
Read Next
square GOLF Sport AnalysisRead More
That was three years ago. The political landscape has changed, feelings softened, allowing Donald to consider LIV players in a way that was not possible in Rome, particularly Europe’s leading points scorer, who is already a winner this year on the LIV tour.
“He is adamant he wants to play Ryder Cup. He has done everything the tour has asked. He is going to play European Tour events, Munich for sure. You can’t discount the effort he is putting in. It means a lot to him and the players understand that too.”
The big beasts
Viktor Hovland, one of Europe’s leading marksmen in Rome, is another who has received the wisdom of Donald during an alarming downturn last year. “Viktor is unique. Very focused on his golf and getting it right. Sometimes too much knowledge can be a bad thing. I talked a lot with him last year trying to guide him how to practice a little bit better,” Donald said.
Hovland struggled before winning the Valspar Championship last month (Photo: Reuters)
Matt Fitzpatrick, who hit a ranking high of six at his peak, has fallen to 74th in the world, a full 56 places since Rome. Fitzpatrick is unpickable on current form but that does not mean Donald has given up on him.
Donald’s key Ryder Cup lieutenant Edoardo Molinari leads the data department advising not only on the form of the established group but potential rookies capable of delivering in the manner of Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who turned pro only three months before his debut in Rome.
Read Next
square GOLF InterviewRead More
“It would be nice if some of these guys were playing majors all of the time, that is a great way to see them. We know what kind of performance is needed to be a Ryder Cup player. We are keyed in on that.”
McIlroy rising
“I would love to see it. A sixth guy ever to win the Grand Slam, that would be historic. He is playing great. I think it is a mental battle with him. He would tell you the same thing. He is trying to do what he does every other week. The longer he goes the more scar tissue there is unfortunately. But I think he has been very impressive with his rebound from the US Open.
“It would be great just to keep that vibe and the momentum going with a European win. It doesn’t have to be this week but at least one of the majors going into Bethpage.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Luke Donald reveals Sergio Garcia and four more shock names in Ryder Cup mix )
Also on site :