Europe’s Ryder Cup leadership plans have been thrown into chaos, with three of its biggest stars now banned from ever captaining the team.
Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, and Ian Poulter – once considered sure-fire future captains – lost their shot at leading Team Europe when they jumped ship to LIV Golf and gave up their DP World Tour memberships last year.
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It’s a pretty dramatic fall from grace for three of Europe’s most successful Ryder Cup players.
The ban comes from a little-known 2018 tour rule that blocks anyone from becoming captain or vice-captain if they drop their European Tour membership or don’t play enough events in a season.
Sergio Garcia isn’t giving up hope just yet. The 44-year-old Spanish star has actually paid over 1 million euros in fines and reapplied for tour membership, hoping to play in this year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. Westwood and Poulter haven’t made the same move.
Current captain Luke Donald addressed the situation this week when asked if Garcia could serve as an assistant captain.
“The rules will have to change if Sergio is to be an assistant,” Donald said. “So I haven’t thought much about it, because that scenario is not currently allowed.”
It’s a tough break for Garcia especially. He’s Europe’s all-time points leader in the Ryder Cup and has a strong connection to Bethpage Black, where he finished fourth in the 2002 U.S. Open.
After more than a year away, Garcia is planning his return to European Tour action at the Bahrain Championship later this month. But unless the rules change, his leadership dreams are on hold – maybe forever.
