Luke Donald keeps an eye on LIV players: “The more people we have to choose from, the better”

As the countdown to the 2025 Ryder Cup continues, Europe’s captain Luke Donald has been making headlines with his recent comments on the eligibility of LIV Golf players. With the competition set to take place at the iconic Bethpage Black course in New York, the European team faces the challenging task of defending their title against a formidable U.S. side.

The subject of LIV Golfers’ participation has been a hot topic, and Luke Donald’s recent declarations have provided much-needed clarity on the matter.

During a media roundtable at the British Masters, Luke Donald addressed the possibility of former Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia returning to the European team despite his move to LIV Golf. He also touched on the eligibility of other prominent players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who have similarly aligned themselves with the Saudi-funded league.

Donald’s statements offer insight into the selection process and the challenges facing European players who have chosen to join LIV Golf.

Luke Donald on LIV Golf Players’ Ryder Cup Eligibility

In his candid discussion with the press, Luke Donald did not shy away from addressing the potential inclusion of LIV Golf players in the 2025 Ryder Cup. Specifically, he responded to questions about Sergio Garcia, Europe’s all-time leading points scorer, who resigned from the DP World Tour last year to focus on LIV Golf.

Despite this, Garcia has not given up on his Ryder Cup dreams and has expressed interest in returning to the European team.

Luke Donald acknowledged that he had spoken with Garcia’s agent and was aware of the Spaniard’s intentions to rejoin the DP World Tour. However, he emphasized that Garcia would need to meet specific criteria to regain his eligibility, including paying substantial fines and fulfilling the tour’s minimum event requirements:

“I saw his manager Carlos at The Open and he mentioned something similar,” Luke Donald said. “I sent Sergio a message of congrats when he won Valderrama. Outside of that, I haven’t really talked to him about specifics over whether he’s joining the DP World Tour, but I did speak to his agent, and I know he’s been playing quite well. The more people we have to choose from, the better.”

The European captain’s comments reflect a pragmatic approach, focusing on having the best possible pool of players to select from. Luke Donald’s stance on Garcia’s potential return suggests that while there is openness to the idea, it is contingent on Garcia fulfilling the necessary requirements.

The discussion also turned to Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, two of Europe’s top players who joined LIV Golf after their successful Ryder Cup campaigns in 2023. Unlike Garcia, Rahm did not resign his DP World Tour membership when he made the switch, which means he still has a chance to retain his eligibility for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

However, Luke Donald made it clear that Rahm must meet the tour’s requirements, including playing in a minimum of four events to maintain his membership.

“I’ve had many conversations with Jon,” Donald explained. “He knows what the deal is. Nothing has changed from last year. He knew when he signed for LIV what the policies were on the DP World Tour.”

“You have to play your four events per the policies, or you can pay the fines or appeal like some of the guys have. He knows that. It’s up to him to do that. He certainly mentioned at the PGA Championship that he was willing to do whatever it took to commit to me and the team. I hope that happens.”

Luke Donald’s comments underscore the importance of adhering to the established criteria, regardless of a player’s stature or past contributions. Rahm, who has been a cornerstone of Europe’s Ryder Cup success, is expected to make the necessary adjustments to ensure his participation.

Hatton, who faces a similar predicament, is also working to fulfill his eligibility requirements. The Englishman has already lodged an appeal against sanctions imposed for participating in LIV events without a release from the DP World Tour.

Donald expressed his approval of Hatton’s commitment to the process, stating:

“I’m excited to have as many players as I can to choose from and to be eligible, and I’m glad Tyrrell is playing this week. I hope he can be one of the guys that I can look for next year as someone that’s eligible.”

Luke Donald’s declarations reflect a balanced approach to the ongoing LIV Golf situation. While he has left the door open for players like Garcia, Rahm, and Hatton, he has also made it clear that the rules and regulations will not be altered to accommodate any individual.

The European captain is focused on assembling the strongest possible team for the 2025 Ryder Cup, emphasizing the importance of fairness and adherence to the established selection criteria.

As the Ryder Cup draws nearer, the spotlight will continue to shine on the eligibility of LIV Golf players. With Donald at the helm, Team Europe is poised to navigate these challenges with a clear and consistent strategy, ensuring that only those who meet the necessary requirements will don the blue and gold in New York.