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Sergio Garcia’s Return to the DP World Tour: A Step Towards the Ryder Cup

Spaniard Sergio Garcia wants to fulfil his dream of returning to the Ryder Cup by rejoining the DP World Tour. (Photo: Getty)
Spaniard Sergio Garcia wants to fulfil his dream of returning to the Ryder Cup by rejoining the DP World Tour. (Photo: Getty)

Sergio Garcia is making a fresh start on the DP World Tour. The Spaniard, who set European Ryder Cup records, wants to play his way back into the world elite – with a clear goal in mind: to return to the European team for the 2025 Ryder Cup in Bethpage.

Garcia’s DP World Tour retirement prevents participation in the Ryder Cup

Following his retirement from the DP World Tour in May 2023, Garcia’s career in Europe appeared to have stalled after sanctions were imposed on him and other LIV golf players. Participating in LIV Golf events in the Saudi-backed series without authorisation led to significant consequences: hefty fines, tournament bans and the loss of his Ryder Cup eligibility. But Garcia has decided to turn over a new leaf. Over a million pounds in fines have been paid, the conditions accepted – the door to returning as a member of the Tour has been opened.

DP World Tour confirms re-entry

The official re-entry was confirmed by a DP World Tour spokesperson. His return is therefore a done deal, even if Garcia will not be able to officially take part in DP World Tour events again until the 2025 season. This return marks a decisive step in Garcia’s plan to qualify for the Ryder Cup again – a goal that has always played a special role in his golf career.

With 28.5 points, Garcia is the most successful player in the history of the European Ryder Cup. His name is synonymous with passion and success in one of golf’s most prestigious duels.

Ryder Cup comeback: a rocky road

However, this path will not be easy. Results from LIV golf tournaments in which Garcia continues to play do not count towards the European Ryder Cup ranking. This means that he will have to impress with strong performances in majors and on the DP World Tour – or hope for a wild card. Garcia proved in 2024 that he is still playing at the highest level: A win at Valderrama and six top-five finishes in 14 LIV events earned him third place in the individual rankings.

But for the Ryder Cup, only what happens on the DP World Tour counts. The decision is in the hands of captain Donald, who has made it clear that all players with membership have an equal chance.

More familiar faces on the DP World Tour 2025

With Sergio Garcia’s return, the DP World Tour 2025 will also welcome some other familiar faces from the LIV Golf League. In contrast to Garcia, who was the only one not active on the DP World Tour at the same time, the returnees include Ryder Cup stars such as Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm and Thomas Pieters as well as up-and-coming talents such as Adrian Meronk and Joaquin Niemann.

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Live

Ryder Cup 2025: Bethpage Black Sold Out Within Hours

eam Captains Luke Donald of England and Keegan Bradley of The United States pose for a photograph with the Ryder Cup Trophy during the Ryder Cup 2024 Year to Go Media Event at the Statue of Liberty on October 08, 2024 in New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
eam Captains Luke Donald of England and Keegan Bradley of The United States pose for a photograph with the Ryder Cup Trophy during the Ryder Cup 2024 Year to Go Media Event at the Statue of Liberty on October 08, 2024 in New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Hot Stuff: What a fuss there was about tickets for next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. ‘Scandal, profiteering, we’re being ripped off’, was the cry in view of the 750 dollars excluding fees etc. for a day ticket to the continental competition on a public golf course, for which the green fee is 75 dollars. But what can we say: the event was sold out within a few hours.

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According to the organising PGA of America, the tickets were sent to 47 countries, including 2,500 tickets to Europe. In addition to the 750 dollars per day, there were also 200 dollars in fees and 60 dollars for a parking ticket. Those who arrived too late can at best hope to be successful with SeatGeek, the PGA of America’s partner for the resale of tickets.


Written by Michael Basche

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Professionals

Rory McIlroy “would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup”

Rory McIlroy on being paid at the Ryder Cup (Photo: Getty).
Rory McIlroy on being paid at the Ryder Cup (Photo: Getty).

While the US players are to receive 400,000 US dollars for their participation in the Ryder Cup from next year, Rory McIlroy and his teammates Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton firmly reject any financial reward. For them, the Ryder Cup is not just a tournament, but a symbol of pride, passion and team spirit. The biennial tournament, which has so far been held without payment for the players, is now to receive a financial component on the American side for the first time from 2025.

Rory McIlroy: Ryder Cup “a privilege”

Rory McIlroy made it unmistakably clear that the competition and the honor are his priority, not the money. “I personally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup,” said McIlroy in an interview with the BBC at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. For him, the Ryder Cup represents one of the purest forms of golf. “The two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, and it’s partly because of that, the purity of no money being involved.” McIlroy sees the Ryder Cup as more than just a golf competition: “But the Ryder Cup is so much more than that, especially to the Europeans and to this tour.”

McIlroy also argues: “The common consensus among us is that $5m would be better off spent elsewhere on the DP World Tour to support other events or even to support The Challenge Tour.” This illustrates that the DP World Tour is much more reliant on the money raised from the Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy showed understanding for the Americans’ decision, but warned of the potential impact of payment on the competition. “I can see the other side of the argument because the Ryder Cup does create a lot of revenue.“ said McIlroy. Nevertheless, he emphasized that money would significantly change the dynamics of the event. “ “I think we would all welcome money if it didn’t change the dynamic but the money really would change the dynamic,” explained the Northern Irishman.

Ryder Cup a privilege for European players

Other European players such as Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton echoed this sentiment. Tyrrell Hatton emphasized: “I’ve never thought about being paid to play in the Ryder Cup. It’s such an honour to be a part of that 12 that play.”

Lowry made it clear that the DP World Tour has no plans to pay its players and he doesn’t believe it makes a difference if one side is remunerated. For the former Open champion, the Ryder Cup is motivation enough anyway. Lowry already feels rewarded by the experience and the opportunities it brings. The prospect of being on the team again spurs him on: “Like I’d give anything to know I’m on the team next year. I’m going to spend the next ten months stressing my head off trying to make the team.”

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Top Tours

PGA of America Gives LIV Golfers Ryder Cup Clearance

PGA of America allows Ryder Cup participation by LIV Golfers. (Photo: Getty)
PGA of America allows Ryder Cup participation by LIV Golfers. (Photo: Getty)

The PGA of America officially reinstates LIV Golfers to its ranks. LIV Golf has been added to the list of tours whose players are eligible for membership in the PGA of America. This means that LIV Golf League players are officially eligible to play in the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championship. The LIV players who have competed in the PGA Championship and, like Brooks Koepka, the Ryder Cup in recent years were allowed to do so on a grace period basis, which allowed them to retain their membership status until 2024.

PGA of America accepts LIV Golf

“Going forward, all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete,2 said the PGA of America. Kerry Haigh, Chief Championships Officer and interim CEO of the association, also told Golf Channel that it was more of a clean up. “The LIV players had previously been [PGA of America] members but had we not done this they would have had to go through more requirements which no other tour members are asked to do.”

No change to the qualification criteria

What has not yet changed for LIV golfers are the qualifying criteria for the PGA of America events. There is still no additional way for LIV golfers to secure a place in the PGA Championship and for the Ryder Cup they only have the opportunity to collect points at major tournaments. Bryson DeChambeau, for example, is currently third in the American qualifying list for the 2025 Ryder Cup after his outstanding performance in major tournaments this year.

LIV Golf and the Ryder Cup have also recently been a topic of discussion on the DP World Tour. The minimum requirements for LIV golfers at the Ryder Cup would be to maintain DP World Tour membership by playing at least four tournaments away from the majors and paying the penalty for illegal participation in LIV tournaments. Jon Rahm, who was an important member of the European Ryder Cup team in previous events, does not want to pay the fine. By appealing against the fine, however, he is buying himself some time to at least fulfil the requirements of Tour membership.

Jon Rahm and the Ryder Cup Question
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Highlights Tours

Jon Rahm and the Ryder Cup Question

Jon Rahm at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. (Image: Getty)
Jon Rahm at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. (Image: Getty)

Jon Rahm could miss the 2025 Ryder Cup. In order to be eligible for the team event, Rahm needs to be eligible to play on the DP World Tour. He will only retain this if he plays four events (excluding majors) on the DP World Tour before the end of the 2024 season. The Spaniard has currently only played one event with his appearance at the Olympics. The Spaniard would like to fulfill the other three appearances at the Open de Espana, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the Andalucia Masters. However, in order to be allowed to play there at all, he must pay the fines imposed by the Tour or appeal against them. The two-time major champion commented on the issue ahead of the LIV event in Chicago.

Jon Rahm: “ I Don’t Intend to Pay the Fines”

“We keep trying to have a discussion with [the DPWT] about how we can make this happen” said Rahm, who was asked about the issue at the LIV Chicago PK. The 29-year-old doesn’t have much time left, as the first of the three tournaments on the agenda, the Open de Espana, takes place from September 26-29.

Rahm’s LIV teammate Tyrrell Hatton has appealed against the sanctions (fines and suspensions). This appeal allows for a provisional stay of execution and thus participation in the DP World Tour tournaments. Even if the DP World Tour ultimately wins the case (previous cases involving other players have gone in the Tour’s favor), the players can still take part in the tournaments thanks to the postponement and thus meet the required number of participations.

Update: According to ESPN Jon Rahm appealed against the sanctions on Thursday and is therefore allowed to play DP World Tour events until an independent panel decides whether he has to pay the fine.

Brooks Koepka also Wants to Play in the Links Championship – Just Like the LIV Boss in 2023

Brooks Koepka also announced in the run-up to the tournament in Chicago that he wants to tee it up at the Links Championship in October. “St. Andrews is my favorite course in the world,” Koepka said. The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship takes place on three courses, including the Old Course in St. Andrews. LIV players are regular guests on the former European Tour – but not only the players, but also PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan. He took part in the prestigious Links Championship as an amateur in 2023. Curious: the head of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia was initially known by the pseudonym Andrew Watermann.

Incidentally, Al-Rumayyan’s LIV golfers have already won seven tournaments in the current DP World Tour season, and five of the first six events of the season were won by LIV players.

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Highlights Tours

Qualification Process for 2025 European Ryder Cup Team

Qualification process for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup 2025. (Photo: Getty)
Qualification process for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Ryder Cup Europe today confirmed the qualification process for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team which will defend the trophy against the United States at Bethpage in New York from September 26-28, 2025.

Ryder Cup Points List for Qualification

In a significant change from previous years – an alteration ratified by the DP World Tour’s Tournament Committee – there will be only one Ryder Cup Points List operational in the 2024/2025 qualification period, using points earned in accordance with a new tournament banding structure implemented by Ryder Cup Europe in consultation with Captain Luke Donald.

 The below table outlines the total points available at each tournament in each defined category.

Tournament CategoryPoints available
Major Championships5,000 points
2025 PGA TOUR Signature Events / The Players / FedExCup Playoffs3,000 points
DP World Tour Rolex Series Events2,000 points
2025 PGA TOUR Regular FedExCup Events2,000 points
DP World Tour ‘Back 9’ Events1,500 points
DP World Tour ‘Global Series’ Events1,000 points
2025 PGA TOUR ‘Opposite Field’ Events1,000 points

This represents an amalgamation of and a replacement for the two former lists utilised in previous qualification campaigns; ie: the World Points List (which was based on Official World Golf Ranking points accrued during the qualifying period) and the European Points List (which was based on Race to Dubai Ranking points accrued during the qualifying period).

Elements of the process which have not changed are:

  • To be eligible to be a member of the 2025 European Ryder Cup team, a player must (i) be European (defined in accordance with the IGF National policy) and (ii) be in membership of the DP World Tour.
  • The team will comprise the top six qualified players (from the new Ryder Cup Points List) and six Captain’s Picks.

The qualification process for the 2025 European Ryder Cup team will begin at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at The Belfry from August 29 – September 1, 2024 – a tournament host and venue synonymous with Ryder Cup success, the English venue having played host to two European triumphs (1985 and 2002) and a tied match in 1989 to retain the trophy; Faldo having played in both 1985 and 1989.

The qualification process will end at the DP World Tour tournament which concludes on Sunday August 24, 2025, a tournament which will be confirmed when the DP World Tour outlines its full 2025 schedule next month.

Other important points to note in relation to the qualifying process are as follows: 

  • In 2024, from the start of the qualifying campaign (August 29) through to the end of the calendar year, the only place to earn Ryder Cup points will be from events on the DP World Tour – ie: the Back 9, the DP World Tour Play-Offs and the Opening Swing events of the 2025 season.
  • Ryder Cup points will only be eligible to be earned in PGA TOUR events from January 1, 2025, until Sunday August 17, 2025.
  • No points will be allocated to any events scheduled against Rolex Series events (as per the 2023 qualification campaign) other than in the 2025 ISCO Championship on the PGA TOUR, played opposite the Genesis Scottish Open.
  • Points will be allocated to The Zurich Classic on the PGA TOUR with 50% of each position being allocated to each player in the team, but only if both players are European.

European Captain Luke Donald said: “I am delighted to be able to confirm the details of the qualification process for our 2025 Ryder Cup team. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to get to this point and everything is now focused on doing all we can to retain the trophy in New York next September.”

Guy Kinnings, CEO of PGA European Tour, the Managing Partner of Ryder Cup Europe LLP, said: “This is a major milestone moment in our journey to the 2025 Ryder Cup. This is without question a much cleaner and simpler qualification system than the ones utilised in previous years and we thank Luke and his Vice Captains Edoardo Molinari and Thomas Bjørn for their vital input over the past few months.”

(Text: Ryder Cup Europe)

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Highlights Tours

Ryder Cup 2025: Keegan Bradley Appoints First Vice-Captain

Ryder Cup 2025: Webb Simpson is the first vice-captain appointed by Keegan Bradley. (Photos: Getty)
Ryder Cup 2025: Webb Simpson is the first vice-captain appointed by Keegan Bradley. (Photos: Getty)

In just over a year’s time, the Ryder Cup 2025 will take place at Bethpage Black in New York. Preparations are in full swing for the US team’s bid for revenge after Team Europe’s triumph in Italy last year. After Keegan Bradley was surprisingly introduced as captain at the beginning of the month, the 38-year-old has now appointed his first vice-captain, Webb Simpson.

Ryder Cup 2025 – Keegan Bradley: “He knows what it takes to win”

Webb Simpson is the first vice-captain alongside Keegan Bradley, marking a debut in the role at the Ryder Cup 2025. As a player, the 38-year-old has competed in three Ryder Cups (2012, 2014, 2018), recording a record of 4-4-1, including 2-1-0 in fourball. Simpson’s biggest career achievements include winning the 2012 US Open and the 2018 Players Championship. Captain Keegan Bradley raved about his new addition to the coaching team during the announcement: “He possesses a wealth of team golf experience and knows what it takes to win. Webb will be a valuable member of our leadership team and a trusted resource for me as we prepare for Bethpage Black next September.”

Webb Simpson was also delighted with this great honor: “I am honored to be chosen by Keegan to serve as a Vice Captain in 2025. Competing in three Ryder Cups will forever be among my career highlights. I have no doubt that Keegan will be a fantastic captain and a tremendous leader, and could not be more excited to get to work as we seek to reclaim the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.” The other vice-captains of Team USA are to be introduced in the coming weeks. For Team Europe, it was clear early on that Luke Donald would once again take on the role of captain for the title defense in the USA. The Europeans already have two vice-captains for the Ryder Cup 2025: Thomas Bjørn and Edoardo Molinari.

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Ryder Cup 2025: Keegan Bradley Named US Captain

Keegan Bradley has been named captain of the US team for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Source: Getty)
Keegan Bradley has been named captain of the US team for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Source: Getty)

Keegan Bradley will captain the US team at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. After months of discussions and despite Tiger Woods, a 15-time major winner and eight-time Ryder Cup participant, being the clear favorite, Bradley was surprisingly chosen.

 
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Bradley Becomes the Youngest Captain Since Arnold Palmer

Bradley was already a contender for the captaincy of the US team in 2023, but was ultimately not selected. Less than a year later, he has now been named captain of the team for the 2025 Ryder Cup. At 38, he is the youngest Ryder Cup captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. The two-time Ryder Cup participant played college golf at St. John’s University in Queens, just a short drive from Bethpage, and regularly competed in tournaments there. “I am incredibly honored to be given this opportunity to lead the U.S. team in the 2025 Ryder Cup,” Bradley said in a statement. “My passion and appreciation for golf’s greatest team event have never been stronger. The Ryder Cup is unlike any other competition in our sport, and this edition will undoubtedly be particulary special given the rich history and enthusiastic spectators at this iconic course. I look forward to starting preparations for 2025.”

 
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Tiger Woods turned down captaincy for the 2025 Ryder Cup

Tiger Woods, who had previously been considered the favorite for the role of captain, had to pull out due to his duties as Player Director on the PGA Tour Policy Board. The PGA of America delayed the appointment of a captain for months, hoping to clear the way for Woods to become captain, and even appointed former caddie and NBC Sports analyst John Wood as “team manager”. He was supposed to take on some of the captain’s workload. When still no major progress had been made in early July, Woods was forced to turn down the captaincy. However, he could still theoretically take part in the Ryder Cup as a player or vice-captain.

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John Wood Becomes Team Manager for US Ryder Cup Team

John Wood named Team Manager for US Ryder Cup Team. (Image: Getty)
John Wood named Team Manager for US Ryder Cup Team. (Image: Getty)

Surprising personnel news: the US Ryder Cup team has strengthened its ranks for the 2025 continental competition in an unprecedented way. Ex-caddie and current ‘NBC’ commentator John Wood will be the first team manager for the home match on the Black Course at Bethpage Park just outside New York.

Ryder Cup 2024: New Manager for Team USA

Wood will assist the captains, players and management team of the PGA of America and provide “provide valuable guidance across a variety of team management areas including player selection, recruitment, motivational strategies, logistical coordination and fostering a positive team environment”, according to a statement about the newly created role. Wood himself said of his future responsibilities: “There is nothing, and I mean nothing, in my professional career, that I have been more passionate about than the Ryder Cup. I have been blessed to be a part of six Ryder Cup Teams as a caddie and two as an NBC Sports on-course reporter and I have treasured every single minute of those special, memorable experiences.”

 

 
 
 
 
 
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The introduction of a team manager has fuelled new speculation that Tiger Woods could take over the captaincy as early as 2025. Until now, the superstar had tended to rule out such a commitment, citing his busy schedule; Woods, on the other hand, could take a lot of the preparatory work off his hands.

🚨📸🐅 #PHOTOS — Tiger Woods and Trevor Immelman watched their sons compete together today at the Adam Scott Junior Invitational down in South Florida. (Via @AJGAGolf) pic.twitter.com/vsgcqTgZG9

— TWLEGION (@TWlegion) May 29, 2024

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Ryder Cup 2025: Thomas Bjorn Becomes Vice-Captain Again

After the successful collaboration in Rome, Luke Donald has reappointed Thomas Bjorn as vice-captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Source: Getty)
After the successful collaboration in Rome, Luke Donald has reappointed Thomas Bjorn as vice-captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. (Source: Getty)

Luke Donald has appointed Thomas Bjorn as vice-captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, which will take place at Bethpage Black, New York, USA, from September 26-28, 2025. Bjorn was already part of the coaching team at the 2023 Ryder Cup when Team Europe secured a memorable 16 ½ – 11 ½ victory over the United States at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. It will be the Dane’s tenth appearance in the continental competition, his sixth as vice-captain. Donald was already presented as the new captain in November.

Success-proven team for the 2025 Ryder Cup

Preparations for the 2025 Ryder Cup continue to gather pace and Luke Donald has added another well-known figure to his captain’s team: Thomas Bjorn has been appointed by Luke Donald as second vice-captain for the prestigious golf event. Together with Donald and Edoardo Molinari, who has also been reappointed as vice-captain, the European team was already successful in Rome in 2023. “It was a natural progression from last time,” commented Bjorn on the reappointment. “Luke called me and said he wanted me to be there in New York too, knowing that the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black will be a completely different challenge. We discussed back and forth, mainly about how to move on from our win in Rome and prepare for New York by evaluating and building on what happened in Rome.”

“I’m very excited to have Thomas back in the team,” Donald expressed enthusiastically. “As soon as I was named captain again, I immediately thought about who I wanted on the backroom staff. And Thomas was definitely one of them. He means a lot to me. He’s passed on his knowledge and I’ve had a great relationship with him over the last few years. It’s important to have those relationships, to enjoy the people you spend time with on this journey.” Bjorn, who was involved in three European victories as a player in 1997, 2002 and 2014, now returns to the team as vice-captain as the Europeans aim to have similar success on American soil.

“We had a fantastic atmosphere in Rome,” Bjorn reflected. “Luke did a great job. He was a fantastic leader, not just of 12 players, but of the whole Team Europe of the Ryder Cup who worked so hard behind the scenes. It was great for me to be part of that because I knew how all those things worked in Paris. To see him add a few extra things in Rome and make it even better was amazing and I was very proud of him. He was exceptional.”