Jon Rahm’s opinion on the Ryder Cup has always been completely clear – the best players must play regardless of what tour they represent.
Unfortunately for the Spaniard, this is not the reality and this means what could’ve been a memorable and successful partnership with LIV Golf player Sergio Garcia will never flourish.
Garcia has resigned his membership after being fined by the DP World Tour and was told by the European captain Luke Donald his Ryder Cup future was over – and this has saddened Rahm.
“I’m going to miss him,” Rahm said at the Memorial Tournament. “I’m going to miss him. A Spanish duo in the Ryder Cup I think to me is embedded into the roots of the Ryder Cup.
“Look with Seve and Ollie were able to do throughout their partnership.
“It’s a little sad to me that politics have gotten in the way of such a beautiful event. Again, it’s the best Europeans against the best American, period.
“And whatever is going on, who is playing LIV and who is not playing LIV to me shouldn’t matter.
“It’s whoever is best suited to represent the European side. And I have a hard time believing that the best player Europe has ever had, the most successful player Europe has had on the Ryder Cup isn’t fit to be on the team.”
After being one of a handful of players to be sanctioned for playing in LIV’s first event in June 2022, Garcia gave up his playing rights in Europe along with Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Henrik Stenson.
The 43-year-old became the event’s record points scorer in 2018 – the first time he shared a European Ryder Cup team dressing room with his young apprentice.
At the 2021 Ryder Cup, the Spanish duo harnessed the heritage of Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal to earn maximum points while playing together at Whistling Straits.
Things are slightly different on the US side. As long as players such as Brooks Koepka are members of the PGA of America, they are allowed to compete for Zach Johnson’s team in Italy.
Koepka propelled himself to second in America’s team rankings after winning the PGA Championship – along with a runner-up finish to Rahm at the Masters tournament.
Rahm is set to make his third consecutive appearance for Europe at Marco Simone in September, where Europe will look to keep an unbeaten record at home that stretches back to 1997.
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