The 2023 Ryder Cup teams has been chosen but with a fortnight to the opening round of matches in Rome not all is seemingly at ease within the European camp.
Only one LIV player, and that being 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 successfull player in Sergio Garcia is not being a part of the European Team.
Garcia’s historic Ryder Cup record of 25 wins, 13 losses and seven halves in his career is the best individual record in the history of the bienniel competition, followed by Europe’s Nick Faldo (23 victories) and the USAs Arnold Palmer (22).
Super golfing Spaniard’s Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm
“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 (Jose Maria Olazabal) this coming Ryder Cup, right. “
And like golf fans the world over, Rahm hopes there will be a resolution to the biggest upheveal in the history of men’s professional golf in order that future European Team captains like Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenon and Graeme McDowell can give back to the Ryder Cup with a mending of the bridges.
“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 43rd hosting of the Ryder Cup gets underway on September 29th at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy.
