"It’s quite disheartening": Former Masters champion shares thoughts on ‘unjust’ LIV Golf ruling that’s ignited a PGA controversy.
Sergio Garcia has shared his perspective on the ongoing discussion regarding LIV Golf’s acceptance by the official body that governs world golf rankings. He expressed that, despite the league achieving some level of success, it still “feels” fundamentally unfair.
Speaking to reporters at The Grange in anticipation of the LIV Adelaide tournament, Garcia addressed the decision made by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), which has chosen to award world ranking points solely to the top ten finishers in each Saudi-backed tournament.
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LIV Golf criticized this decision as “unprecedented” and lacking in “equality.” However, Garcia did acknowledge that it could be beneficial for players.
Even so, he harbors concerns about how these restrictive rules might hinder LIV golfers who aspire to improve their rankings for eligibility into one of the four major championships held worldwide.
"It’s definitely a step forward," Garcia commented. "Is it fair? I guess time will tell. It doesn’t feel entirely fair right now. When one of our players wins, he obviously jumps up in the rankings, and that’s wonderful. But if you finish 11th or lower, you end up with nothing, which can be quite detrimental because your average events played increases. So, that... can hurt a lot."
He continued, "This is a positive development. Ultimately, I believe it will assist some of the younger players in performing well and moving up the ranks. I hope they excel. But, unfortunately, only ten players can secure a place in the top ten. It would be great if the system allowed for a broader scope as we believe it should. Let’s hope that happens soon."
Currently, Garcia holds the 369th position in global rankings, having previously reached a peak of No. 2. Nevertheless, as the 2017 Masters champion, he enjoys a lifetime exemption to compete at Augusta National.
It’s important to note that his exemptions for the other three major tournaments have lapsed.
In a significant change that finally led the OWGR to recognize LIV Golf after nearly four years of contention, events transitioned from a three-day to a four-day format.
This shift has stirred conversations within the tour, particularly after star player Bryson DeChambeau recently alluded to the conditions not aligning with what players initially expected when they joined.
When asked about the format change, Garcia remarked that he finds it "acceptable," but he also noted some concerns. "Adjusting for preparation takes an extra day, which slightly extends the duration of our weeks. With frequent travel overseas, it becomes a bit challenging to arrive with ample time for preparation as thoroughly as one might wish. But we’ve been doing this for our entire careers, so we're accustomed to it. Overall, it’s manageable."
In contrast, his Fireballs teammate David Puig expressed a more optimistic view of the new structure, stating that it allows the best players to stand out more effectively. "From my perspective, I believe that for the top performers of that week, extending it to four days is certainly advantageous. They need to perform at a higher level for an additional day to secure a win or a high finish.
During the three-day format, the first round was crucial. If you started off strong, you had a good shot at winning, but it didn’t guarantee a high finish. However, if you had a poor first round, you often found yourself struggling over the next two days to break into the top ten or fifteen. I think this new format is fairer and ultimately better."
Meanwhile, when Garcia was probed about the recurring discussions around the PGA Tour’s Players Championship being dubbed the world’s ‘fifth major,’ especially in the context of comparisons made with Australia deserving its own elevated tournament, he responded thoughtfully. Recently, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee stirred up debate by asserting that the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass could be considered the greatest tournament globally.
Chamblee stated, "In every conceivable metric used to determine what constitutes a major, the Players stands apart and above the other four major championships. In my view, it is the finest major."
Garcia's fellow LIV Golf player Lee Westwood reacted with surprise to Chamblee's assertion, jokingly suggesting that someone should check on him. When asked for his take, Garcia, who won at Sawgrass in 2008, expressed his reluctance to comment on other tours. Nevertheless, he added with a smile, "I’d certainly be thrilled to claim a second major title if that were to happen."
When pressed further about whether Australia deserves heightened recognition following successful LIV tournaments in Adelaide and last year’s notable Australian Open at Royal Melbourne—where Garcia competed—he replied firmly, "Absolutely, without question. There are so many regions worldwide where golf enjoys significant support, and Australia is undoubtedly one of them. They've demonstrated their enthusiasm and passion for the game of golf."
He went on to say, "I believe this event is fantastic. It features incredible young talent with immense potential, as well as established stars performing at a high level, like Jon Rahm and others. Australians should be incredibly proud of what they currently have in the golfing landscape. Unfortunately, I think they haven’t consistently seen a field of this caliber year after year as LIV Golf has presented for the last four years. That consistency is something special."
