The 2023 Ryder Cup teams have been chosen but with a fortnight to go before the opening round of matches in Rome, not all is seemingly at ease within the European camp.
Only one LIV player, Brooks Koepka, will be teeing-up on the Marco Simone course while super Spaniard Jon Rahm has been outspoken in saying it is ‘stupid’ compatriot and Europe’s most successful player Sergio Garcia is not a part of the European Team
Garcia’s Ryder Cup record of 25 wins, 13 losses and seven halves across his 10 appearances in the biennial competition means that he has won the most points in the history of the event, followed by Europe’s Nick Faldo (23 victories) and the USA’s Arnold Palmer (22).
“I think it would be really stupid of anybody not to lean on Sergio Garcia’s experience in the Ryder Cup,” said Rahm at this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
“I mean, he is the best player Europe has ever had, won the most points and has shown it time and time again. If he were able to be a vice-captain, I absolutely would lean on him. Same as we are going to lean on (José María Olazábal) this coming Ryder Cup, right.”
Further, Rahm hopes there will be a resolution to the biggest upheaval in the history of men’s professional golf that would allow past Ryder Cup stalwarts such as Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson and Graeme McDowell to contribute to future Ryder Cups and part mend the bridges which have been damaged in the past 18 months.
“When it comes to the game and all those players being able to be back, it’s been a difficult time. Obviously things have changed a little bit. I wouldn’t know how to answer because we are going to have to see if it’s possible or not, right?” he said.
“I would like to see it, but unfortunately we’ve seen some of those players give up their (DP World) Tour status where that’s no longer a possibility. So I would like to see it, but we don’t know what the future holds, right? I think with this agreement or this possible union between the PGA Tour, DP World and PIF might change things a little bit.”
The Ryder Cup tees off on September 29 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy.
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