Sergio Garcia admits he is happy with his decision to join LIV Golf and would rather not represent Europe at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome if it means it is going to antagonise his fellow European players.
Garcia is one of five players on the 2021 European Ryder Cup team who suffered that record-breaking defeat to the USA in Whistling Straits last year to join LIV Golf and it is a decision he remains comfortable with having previously stated he wouldn’t want to play for Europe because he wouldn’t feel welcome.
“I can only speak for myself, but I’ve definitely made the right decision. I feel like I’m where I want to be,” said the Ryder Cup record points scorer.
“Obviously I knew some of the things that might happen if I joined here, but at the end of the day, as we’re seeing, you can see that some of the guys on the other side don’t really want me there. I don’t want to be a burden to anyone and even less in a Ryder Cup. I’d rather be away from that as much as it hurts and make sure that Europe has the best chance of winning than me being there and three or four guys that are going to be there are going to be upset or something.
“I think the Ryder Cup is bigger than any of us or me for that matter, even with my record, and I’m happy to be able to be here and enjoying my time with my three partners and trying to build something that is very exciting and that we’re extremely proud of,” added the Spaniard who has recovered from a knee injury in time to captain his team and earn a big fat cheque regardless.
Garcia also refused to get drawn into a war of words in response to Rory McIlroy’s comments that he felt betrayed by his Ryder Cup teammates and the ‘us vs them’ has spiralled out of control. Although he did indicate that the hostility has only been expressed in one direction.
“I don’t have a problem. You’re asking the wrong person. That’s all I’m going to say. I don’t have a problem with any one of them.”
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