Sergio Garcia announces return to DP World Tour next year

Sergio Garcia of Spain, currently competing on LIV Golf, has officially announced his return to the DP World Tour next year.

Golfweek reported Tuesday that Garcia recently submitted a membership re-application to the DP World Tour. Garcia cited his desire to compete in the Ryder Cup as the reason for his return.

Garcia defected to LIV Golf in 2022 without the DP World Tour's approval, earning him a heavy fine and a suspension. He pushed back against the sanctions and formally severed ties with the tour last May by voluntarily surrendering his membership.

A rule requiring players to maintain DP World Tour membership to be eligible for the Ryder Cup changed his mind. A DP World Tour spokesperson confirmed in an official statement that Garcia had submitted his application before the membership registration deadline for the 2024-2025 season.

His return will not be unconditional. Garcia must clear two hurdles to rejoin the DP World Tour: he must pay all outstanding fines totaling more than 1 million pounds (about 1.7 billion won), and he must serve the suspension the tour has imposed on his future schedule. Golfweek reported that Garcia has indicated he will no longer appeal the tour's disciplinary measures and will comply with them in full.

Garcia's willingness to absorb the steep financial penalty stems from his deep attachment to the Ryder Cup. He is one of the most successful players in European Ryder Cup history, having accumulated 28.5 points — the all-time record for most points earned in the competition.

European team captain Luke Donald of England also signaled support for Garcia's potential return. "I've had some close conversations with Sergio recently," Donald said. "He knows how much he means to the European team, and if he complies with the regulations, there is no reason to exclude him from selection consideration."

Under tour rules, Garcia must play in at least four official DP World Tour events — including majors and tour-sanctioned tournaments — in a single season to maintain his membership eligibility.

Golfweek noted that Garcia's application is connected to the moves of other LIV Golf players on the European side, including Jon Rahm of Spain and Tyrrell Hatton of England.

Rahm and Hatton have already met the minimum Ryder Cup qualification threshold by maintaining their eligibility through appeals against their disciplinary rulings while continuing to play DP World Tour events. Garcia, by contrast, has chosen a different path — dropping his appeals and accepting both the fine and the suspension outright.