Sergio Garcia shows true colours with message to DP World Tour over Spanish Open absence

Three of the four Spanish golfers from the LIV Golf setup will return to the DP World Tour for this week's Spanish Open in Madrid, but Sergio Garcia is not one of them.

Garcia has announced himself as a Spanish great on the golf course during his career, thriving most on the Ryder Cup setup, having won more points than any other player at the matchplay event whilst competing in European colours. His relationship with the home of European golf, the DP World Tour, has however soured in recent years.

Garcia became one of the marquee names to make the jump to LIV Golf two years ago, joining a number of his fellow European stalwarts in Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson.

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Whilst his Saudi switch did not come with an automatic DP World Tour ban - similar to the action taken by the PGA Tour over in the United States - it was greeted with some consequences. Following months of back and forth, the DP World Tour finally won an arbitration case in April 2023 that gave the circuit the power to fine and suspend its members for competing in 'conflicting' events on the LIV setup.

Garcia of course fell into this category, signalling a bitter end to his 27-year relationship with the European circuit. Alongside the likes of Poulter and Westwood, Garcia opted to resign his membership from the DP World Tour on the back of the sanctions, also signalling an end to his Ryder Cup career.

The 2017 Masters champion has previously stated his intention to return to the Wentworth-based circuit, but as things stand Garcia is yet to reapply, with his sanctions still outstanding. With this, it means Spanish golf will be without one of their most prized assets for their home Open in Madrid.

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And whilst it will be no doubt tough for Garcia to not be involved, the 44-year-old still expects the tournament at Club de Campo Villa to be a succesful one. "I wish I could have the chance to play, unfortunately I won't be," Garcia told Mirror Sport ahead of this week's Spanish Open.

"I have had the pleasure of doing that [previously], and it is huge for Spain, Spanish golf, and Spanish sports in general. I am sure it is going to be an amazing week next week in Madrid, and then a few weeks later in Sotogrande [for the Andalucia Masters], so hopefully an amazing time there."

In Garcia's absence, the field will be headlined by the latest pillar of Spanish golf, in fellow LIV star Jon Rahm. Like Garcia, Rahm's DP World Tour membership has also become a hot topic, especially in recent weeks, with the former world No. 1 required to play three more events on the circuit before the end of the year to remain a member and eligible for next year's Ryder Cup.

One of those tournaments will come at home in Madrid this week, despite concerns that he would even be allowed to compete, having appealed the sanctions against him at the 11th hour earlier this month. Speaking ahead of his entry at LIV Chicago two weeks ago, Rahm claimed it was his 'duty' to compete in his home Open, and his compatriot Garcia believes it is Rahm's role both at the event and for Spanish golf is imperative.

"It is very important," Garcia said of Rahm's entry into their nation's flagship event. "Any time you can have your best players playing in your country and playing the national Open [it is important]." Whilst Garcia will not be joining Rahm, two other Spanish LIV members in David Puig and Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra will be teeing it up in Madrid.

Both turned professional to join the breakaway league in 2022, and having not previously held membership with the DP World Tour, are exempt from punishment. Whilst not members, Puig and Lopez-Chacarra are eligible this week through the 'National Spots' exemption category on the DP World Tour, which allows players from the host nation who are not already qualified to compete.

Young duo Puig and Lopez-Chacarra both play alongside Garcia as part of the Fireballs setup on the LIV circuit, and the team captain is looking forward to see his teammates compete on home soil. "It is great for us to have a couple of guys there representing the Fireballs," he said.

"I said earlier, the more good quality Spanish players you can have playing around Spain and playing our opens, it is massive and super important. I am very proud of them to have the chance of going there and represent, and hopefully they can have great weeks."