Garcia not 'paying attention' to LIV sanctions despite Ryder Cup future at stake

29 April 2023 , 17:05

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Sergio Garcia is not 'paying attention' to the DP World Tour's sanctions (Image: Getty Images)

Sergio Garcia has opted against speaking out on the DP World Tour's recent arbitration victory over LIV Golf, which allows them to sanction players from the breakaway circuit - insisting he is paying no attention to the row.

A legal battle between the DP World Tour and their newfound rivals LIV was settled earlier this month, after the Tour initially looked to punish players last summer. After a number of European stars made the move to the Saudi-funded series, DP World Tour boss Keith Pelley banned the rebels from competing at last year's Scottish Open whilst also handing out £100,000 fines.

The initial punishments were appealed by a group of LIV players - including European stalwart Ian Poulter - which proved succesful, allowing those on the rebel circuit to continue to play DP World Tour golf.

Nine months on though, Sports Resolutions finally reached a verdict in favour of the Wentworth-based circuit. The ruling will seemingly all but end the relationship of a number of Europe's biggest names with the DP World Tour, with fines handed out to members who compete at LIV events.

And this will of course have further implications on Ryder Cup selection, with players wanting to compete for Team Europe required to have a membership with the Tour. It could well signal a sad end for Garcia, who has announced himself as arguably the continent's greatest Ryder Cup player during his career.

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Sergio Garcia is a stalwart of European golf (Getty Images)

As well as competing in Rome later this year, the Spaniard was expected to be a shoe-in future captain in years to come. His career in blue and gold however would appear to be over, following the result of the recent arbitration ruling.

Despite the consequences though, Garcia is not overly worried about the recent legal defeat. Speaking at this week's LIV event in Singapore he said: "Yeah, I'm not part of it, so I don't -- I'm not really paying attention to that."

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Sergio Garcia leads the way at LIV Singapore with Talor Gooch (Getty Images)

Whilst the 2017 Masters champion was keen to play down the legal ruling, Garcia did admit he is prepared to sit down with the DP World Tour in a bid to 'figure out' where his future in European golf lies. "We'll talk to DP World and try to figure it out," he added. "But I'm not part of it, so it's okay."

Garcia's focus is no doubt firmly on his efforts on the course rather than on it, with the Spanish ace tied for the lead at LIV Singapore alongside last week's winner Talor Gooch with 18 holes to play. Victory at Sentosa Golf Club on Sunday would be Garcia's first LIV victory since defecting last summer, and his first professional win in nearly three years.

Joshua Lees